Wednesday 10 June 2015
Media Enquiry from Guernsey Press:
Another enquiry for you. Could the department please provide an update on the work taking place at the Sausmarez Park playground during its five day closure.
-Have the granite boulders been removed yet?
-Will the playground definitely re-open on Saturday?
-How much is it costing the department to do the work?
-Why did the department deem it necessary to undertake such work?
-Will the playground be monitored on a regular basis to ensure it meets safety standards?
If you could please acknowledge receipt of this email and let me know when I can expect a response, it would be greatly appreciated.
Environment Department Response:
The two larger boulders which formed part of the overhead bars assembly have been taken down and the reinstallation of the bars in their new position is now in progress.
It is still planned to reopen the adventure playground on Saturday but if there is any change to this date this will be communicated to the media.
The Environment Department is not being charged for the works. It is understood that the value of the works will be in the order of £3,000 and will be covered by the Friends of Saumarez Park Playground. The actual costs will depend on a number of things including any goodwill which the contractors involved prepared to offer.
The reasons for doing the works are explained in the previous media released on 5th June which is copy and pasted below (corrected for tenses).
"In their previous position, the overhead bars met the EN1176 safety standard when the bars were used in the way for which they were designed, i.e. crossing the bars by hanging down from below the rungs. However, it was observed that some children were climbing on top of the bars and a fall risk was identified which could result in a child falling onto part of the adjacent boulder array and slide. Following advice received by the Health and Safety Executive at the end of April, the Environment Department took the decision to close off access to the overhead bars.
The work will entail removal of two boulders and the re-siting and remounting the bars further away from the boulder and slide arrays.
All equipment has been subject to interim and post installation safety inspections by the Children's Play Advisory Service (CPAS). CPAS is an independent consultancy which inspects all public playgrounds in the island annually. The design of the principal components such as the play ship, swings and basket swing have gained TUV certification which means they meet European safety standards in terms of the design of the equipment."
Following completion of works the regular inspection regime for the Playground will resume to ensure it continues to meet the necessary safety standards.
Contact Information:
Environmental Services Unit
Environment Department
Tel: 01481 717200
