Furore over future of Spean Bridge playpark

An attempt to remove playpark equipment from a site in Spean Bridge has met with disapproval from the local community council.

The decision to remove the equipment at Altour Road was taken by Highland Council members on January 17, 2022, following health and safety annual inspections and subsequent discussions with ward members.

However, the equipment is still in place and Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry (SBRBA) Community Council were only informed of the decision by letter on Tuesday March 28 this year.

Highland Council said the equipment was beyond economical repair and that there was no capital budget available to replace it.

A week later the workforce arrived to remove the equipment and when challenged blamed the community council and only stopped when a local person staged a protest on a piece of equipment.

John Fotheringham, SBRBA community council chairman said: “We understand that raising the £40,000+ to buy new equipment was beyond the council but why were we, the community, not consulted about footing the much less repair bill to keep the park serviceable until a plan for the future could be arranged?

“Our sister charity Spean

Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry SCIO has recently completed a widespread community consultation and has made constructing a community garden, which would incorporate the playpark, a priority.

“We have had preliminary discussions about land acquisition with the two landowners, including Highland Council, but this ill-judged equipment removal means that until our plans are finalised and put into practise local children have no safe place to play.

“Dalour Cottages playpark is on the opposite side of the busy A86 trunk road with no pedestrian crossing, so without a parent or guardian in attendance is inaccessible for young children.

“This is another example of bureaucratic nonsense from Highland Council. No wonder local people feel neglected.”

Responding to a query by the Lochaber Times this week, a Highland Council spokesperson said: “The items on site are not deemed as unsafe, however all items have reached the end of life span with numerous repairs no longer viable.

“If the community would be interested in getting involved in reinstating this site as a play area, setting up a community group and raising funds, they can visit the council website for more information at www. highland.gov.uk/playareas.”