PARENTS have raised concerns about a decision to remove equipment from a busy play area in Hove Edge, Brighouse, which has suffered repeated vandalism.

Finkil Street play area has been plagued by anti-social behaviour by teenagers and the ongoing problem has become so severe that Calderdale Council has taken the decision to remove the basket swing, tyre seesaw and timber posts surrounding both areas.

Photographs posted on social media show the rope edging on the basket swing unravelling and a handle ripped off the tyre seesaw, as well as playground rides being ripped off their springs and timber posts pulled out of the ground and strewn on the floor.

The Council has agreed to take action after a meeting with local councillors and the neighbourhood team to consider the way forward.

In a letter to residents, neighbourhood co-ordinator Mags Bryson said: “Due to the ongoing nature of the damage and lack of funding to replace items it has been agreed to remove the basket swing, the large seesaw and the timber posts surrounding both areas.

“The areas will be levelled out with soil creating a wild flower bed and grass area with work take place over the next six months, weather permitting.”

This would leave a small play area for younger children with swings and playground spring rides and a climbing frame.

But people fear the anti-social behaviour will continue and believe something more needs to be done to get to the root of the problem.

They are also encouraging people to attending a drop-in session which the Council is holding at the play area on Saturday, October 7, from 10am to 11am, with councillors and staff.

One parent, Sarah Cunningham, whose two boys aged five and nine attend nearby St Chad’s Primary School, has set up a petition.

The 33-year-old told the Telegraph & Argus: “It’s down to anti-social behaviour.

"The Council has been repairing the equipment but now say they can’t repair it anymore. They have said it is unsafe as it is so they want to take half of the equipment out of there.

“We need to come together as a community to get a park that is safe for our children.”

Andrew Pitts, Calderdale Council’s head of neighbourhoods, said the decision to remove the equipment had been made with regret.

"Meetings and site visits have been taking place to consider the concerns and find a way forward," he said.

"We welcome ideas for the park and are keen to work with local people to create a facility that they can continue to enjoy.

“Meanwhile, over the next few months we plan to level out the area with soil, creating a wild flower bed and grass area, and we will continue to monitor the situation.”

Neighbouring ward Councillor Howard Blagborough (Con, Brighouse) who was on the scrutiny committee which agreed to fund the equipment back in 2008, said: “The issue of anti-social behaviour in the play area won’t just go away - we need to tackle the issue itself.

“It’s extremely disappointing that we’ve got to the stage where the equipment is simply being removed.”

The petition can be found at change.org/p/sarah-cunningham-hove-edge-community-save-and-restore-finkil-street-park.