Maldon council apologises after Burnham play equipment removed

Burnham play park equipment favourites including the zip line were removed without notice near the Dengie Hundred Sports Centre.

Residents were left questioning the sudden removal as they turned up to the park and saw the equipment had been ripped out.

Maldon District Council has since apologised for the lack of communication to the public, saying the contractor had “started work sooner than was expected”.

The works are part of a planned programme to refresh the play equipment in the park by building new apparatus which is expected to be a “comparable replacement” to the previous equipment.

Empty: the empty space where the equipment used to be (Image: Ramping it up)

The equipment is set to be replaced by new apparatus by the end of October.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We would like to apologise for the lack of communication regarding the removal of the play equipment near the Dengie Hundred Sports Centre, Burnham-on-Crouch.

“Although the replacement of the equipment is part of a planned programme of renewal, the contractor had started work sooner than was expected, which meant the usual communication and signage unfortunately did not happen.

“We acknowledge that this has fallen short of our normal standards of service, and will take steps to ensure that everyone is kept informed in the future.

“Replacement of the existing equipment is due to take place in October and will consist of comparable replacement for all of the three items that have been removed.”