Cardiff Council has u-turned on plans to shut a popular playground over the Easter holidays after parents complained on social media. The council initially announced on the morning of Friday, March 24 that the play area at Roath Park Lake would be closed for maintenance for approximately nine days from Monday, March 27.
As term for many Cardiff schools ends on Friday, March 31 for a two-week Easter holiday, many parents complained about the timings. Announcing the initial closure, Cardiff Council posted on social media: "The play area at Roath Park Lake will be closed from Monday 27th March in order for the bark safety surfacing to be renewed. The work is expected to take approx. 9 days. In order to avoid wider park closures, some work will take place overnight. Apologies for any inconvenience."
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In response, some parents asked for an explanation and called the timings "ridiculous". Facebook user Richard Charles Biston asked: "Will Cardiff Council engage with Joe Public and explain the rationale for choosing a period of time when schools are closed please?"
Another commenter, Elinor Dixon, added: "So it won't be finished before the schools break up then. Brilliant planning. You surely could have done this a couple of weeks ago, or waited until after the holidays finish." Another, Louise Santiago, added: "Perfect timing to schedule work during the school Easter holidays! Well done Cardiff Council, first class donuts."
Some spoke in support of the council though, with Kirsty Hartley saying: "At least they’re doing it! Yes it would make more sense to do it before the school holidays but there may be a good reason for that particular date." Kimberley Mason added: "Gosh people's comments, I understand the frustration with it being Easter holidays, but give them a break, it will be fresh for the summer and the weekends after the 9 days.
"But let's not forget if your child's safety was at risk or they [were] hurt, you would be demanding for something to be done, can't win honestly."
The council quickly announced a u-turn on the plans less than eight hours later, updating the statement and adding: "We have been advised that the work schedule has been revised and the play area will reopen on Friday 31st March - further works will be deferred until after the school break."
Some people thanked the council for being flexible, with Chris Dawson on Twitter saying: "Thanks for responding and resolving, always tricky planning maintenance with all the logistics to line up."
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