‘Rope swings too dangerous? Council are wrapping kids up in cotton wool’
‘DANGEROUS’ rope swings are set to be removed from a popular spot where children have played for generations.
Llangoed and Penmon Community Council has been accused of “wrapping children in cotton wool” for wanting to remove the swings and tyres from an area known as ‘The Glen’.
But council chairman councillor Keith Williams said it was a “caring council” and had genuine safety concerns about the area
He admitted he was also worried about the council being sued if a child was injured, as the five swings are on common land. A notice at the site says due to “safety concerns” and because trees and land had been damaged all rope swings and a wheel would be “removed and disposed of” on October 29, unless the owners claimed them beforehand.
Llangoed and Penmon councillor Wyn Hughes said he disagreed with the decision.
He said: “Some of us thought it was just something children do.
“We used to do it when we were children.
“Some of the councillors decided it was too dangerous to leave the swings there. I would have just left them to it.”
Wyn Lewis wrote on the North Wales Nostalgia Facebook page: “Big Brother and the PC brigade strike again.
“Kids have made swings since I was a Llangoed youngster in the 60s and I know of no serious accidents.
“Why wrap children in cotton wool?
“They should be encouraged to play outdoors.”
Shirley Jones wrote: “Children are now expected to be cooped up in the house on electrical gadgets. More outside playing on swings and muddy fields I’m sure would improve our world.”
Chairman Cllr Williams said there is a now a moratorium on the decision to remove the swings on October 29, so those who oppose the move can “make representations” at the next council meeting.
He said: “We are worried as a council in case someone falls off. We are not paid, we are community councillors and we are not trying to be killjoys.
“We don’t object to the children doing it, it’s basically on these particular trees – there are buses turning there as well.
“We could get sued if a child was hurt and we have finite resources.
“The matter has been deferred to the next council meeting where people can make their case.”