Griffin Park Play Area is not fit for children - Teather

10.07.42am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 29th Aug 2003

Simon Hughes MP and Sarah Teather cleaning up Griffin Park Play Area

Local Liberal Democrat campaigner, Sarah Teather and Liberal Democrat London Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes MP, today launched a campaign to tidy up Griffin Park play area. The campaign was launched following the revelation that Griffin Housing Association paid Brent Council £40,000 to clean up the children's play area but so far nothing has been done.

Ms Teather has today written to local officials to demand that the money given to Brent Council for the specific purpose of making the play area safe for children is used for its intended reason. Up to now officials have been unable to account for the £40,000 or what has happened to it.

Commenting Sarah Teather said, "This is a complete disgrace, our children deserve better. With broken play equipment, rubbish everywhere and torn down fences, this is an area that is not fit for our children to play in."

"I have written to the council demanding that action be taken. A small amount of effort could make a real difference. I very much hope that a council clean up will be done urgently to ensure local children can play safely. Our local community deserves better."

Simon Hughes MP said, "It is scandalous that money given to Brent council to clean up this playground has been buried in bureaucracy. With the metal, glass and refuse littering the play area, kids are in danger of getting seriously hurt."