A PARISH council has apologised after shutting a rural community’s only playpark the day children started their six weeks holidays.

Members of Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council came under fire from parents after announcing the Wesley Terrace Play Area, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, would be temporarily closed due to safety concerns.

Parish clerk Judith Mashiter said inspectors expressed concerns over some of the equipment following its annual inspection on July 19 and councillors felt they had no choice but to close the facility.

Mrs Mashiter said: “It’s on the basis of the verbal feedback from that inspection that councillors took the decision that, for safety interests, it was best to close the play park.”

Mrs Mashiter said the park would remain closed until the final inspection report is received.

She said: “It really is unfortunate timing being the day the schools broke up and the council know it was a really valuable resource for the village and really well used but safety has to come first.

“We would rather have a disappointed child and parent than an injured child.

“The council is apologetic to parents and acknowledges that the timing is really bad.”

However, several parents took to Facebook to criticise the move and asked why it was not closed and dealt with sooner if it could be dangerous.

One parent said: “Unfortunate timing? The playground has been in dire need of attention for months. Why does it have to close altogether? There's other thing to play on if the swings were removed.”

Another user added: “With the best will in the world this is bad planning. They haven’t rotted overnight– could it not have been done before the beginning of the six weeks holidays or after?”

Mrs Mashiter said the council had no control over the events and is working with Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services (UTASS) to arrange minibuses to transport children and parents to other play parks.

One of the UTASS project managers, Bob Danby, confirmed an arrangement had been discussed and encouraged parents and carers to provide feedback on where and when the children would like to go to other play parks.

He said: “Unfortunately, all children will need to be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them.”

Mr Danby said UTASS also struggle to find volunteer drivers so any future outings will be dependent on a driver being found.

To reserve a trip place or to enquire about becoming a volunteer driver, contact staff at UTASS on 01833-641010.