Bermondsey’s playgrounds are so plagued with sinkholes, rust and broken swings that three have been named among London’s “saddest” play areas.
Miserable kids have said their “nasty” and “lonely” play areas leave them with “nothing to do” and desperately need new equipment.
A children’s charity said “times of austerity” meant local authorities were “pushing play down the priority list” but added that neglecting playgrounds was “short-sighted”.
Southwark Council is investing in playgrounds through various funding pots but exasperated parents say the money doesn’t go far enough.
Among the saddest playgrounds is Kirby Estate’s where sinkholes have appeared and the front gate is padlocked.
Young Kirby resident Ralph, 7, who had a swing snap beneath him while playing, said: “[We need] a new park. They could change the park, rebuild the park.
“It’s not been very nice on the park because the swings have been taken away two years ago.”
Bella, 9, said: “It’s quite sad and there’s nothing really to do and you can’t play about.”
The Bermondsey estate is renowned for its community spirit, particularly during football tournaments when residents drape national flags from around the world from their balconies.
But parents say the neglected playground is a hole at the heart of their community.
They said £10,000 council funding for its revamp wouldn’t cover a full refurbishment, costed at between £20,000 and £50,000.
Local parent Rebecca Robins, 35, said the council hadn’t replaced the removed swings after removing them five years ago.
“What more do we have to do to get people’s attention?” she said. “All people talk about in this area is anti-social behaviour. We’re trying to make things for the children to do but what are we supposed to do?”
Rebecca said £10,000 would only cover the cost of relaying the floor, thereby leaving children to play on dilapidated frames and monkey bars.
The Kirby Estate isn’t the only Bermondsey playground named among charity London Play’s ‘Saddest Playgrounds 2024’ competition.
A flurry of nominations meant play areas on the Rouel Road and Abbeyfield estates were also included.
Last year, Leyton Square park in Peckham came joint first alongside Crystal Palace Park in Bromley.
A spokesperson for London Play said: “Councils do not have any statutory duty to provide play so when they are looking for savings, play provision is an ‘easy’ target. In these times of ongoing austerity, Southwark council is not alone in struggling to balance its budgets and pushing play down the priority list.
“However, this is short-sighted, as ensuring that children can play near to where they live contributes hugely to their physical and mental health, development and wellbeing.”
Local Liberal Democrat Councillor Rachel Bentley, who has been fighting for more funding, said: “Our littlest Londoners are being failed. Playgrounds are in a sorry state in Southwark – overgrown, unsafe and not fit for use.
“Communities like the Kirby Estate should not have to bid for pots of funding to restore precious community spaces that are the responsibility of the council.”
Southwark Council was approached for comment.
Try for section 106 funding there should be some from the biscuit factory area. Section 106 is money that developers have to put into the surrounding area to help improve facilities. Also cleaner Greener and neighbourhood funding will help with these problems. The council will not replace only repair if your lucky.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Surrey Quays has not a single free access ball games area or playcentre. Please dwell on that fact.
What isn’t mentioned in your article is the total inequality in FREE playgrounds between Bermondsey and Rotherhithe /Surrey Quays.
Those playgrounds that were originally integrated into the ex Council Estates when they were built in the 1930s in Rotherhithe, such as at Acorn, Redriff, were removed into car parking and landscaping by the privatisation and Housing Association refurbishments in the 1980s. The adjacent Canada Estate with a lovely playground and games area is actually in Bermondsey on the border so to speak. The Docklands Settlement in Rotherhithe Street/Salters Road was effrctively sold off and developed into private flats with a PAY TO PLAY facility, creche and small community centre. The impressive St Paul’s Football Pitch is again not free access but pay to play. There is (was?) a small Playcentre/Adventure to south of Greenland Dock. Again no free access. Southwark councillors will probably point to the wealth of open space on the riverside and Stave Ecological Park and the areas round the docks, but this isn’t dedicated play space for ball games, and anyway Bermondsey boasts South Park and several well established clubs and centres.
Surrey Quays has not a single free access ball games area or playcentre. Please dwell on that fact.
The nearest Youth Centre to Surrey Quays lies just over the border in neighbouring Lewisham.