It’s rock hard for kids to play on this!

Published: 15 April 2010
by RAJDEEP SANDHU

IT looks like a Henry Moore sculpture – but this odd lump of rock is actually a new playground. 

And the grey structure, on the Bamber Green estate in King’s Cross, has prompted a heated debate as to whether it is safe for children to climb on.

The £65,000 playground has been redesigned as part of a government scheme to improve children’s play areas. The redesign was carried out by charity Groundworks, and the structure was designed by Rockworks, who specialise in building climbing walls. The charity say the idea behind the project is to provide something that challenges children to improve skills such as balance and co-ordination.

But not all parents have welcomed it. Elaine Papworth, 43, who lives nearby, said: “I thought it was a sculpture. I didn’t even realise it was for children. But I think it looks very unsafe. There should be more hand-holds.” 

Roger Jeffs, 46, who has two daughters, said: “I wouldn’t let them play without my supervision.”

King’s Cross Safer Neighbourhood Panel chairwoman Pamela Manis said: “It looks very ill-thought out. Children love it but when there are no adults it is an accident waiting to happen.” 

Nine-year-old Sultan Baksh, who visited the playground with the One KX youth centre, said: “They could have made it a bit shorter. I was scared on it and I wouldn’t like to use it without adults.” 

But others praised the idea. Youth worker Stuart Woods said: “The kids were jumping off the top quite a lot. I think it is safe within reason, but it depends on the age of the child. Most of our kids loved it.”

King’s Cross Labour councillor Jonathan Simpson said: “Camden  have been given this money by the government, and the fact that the play area is unsafe just shows that the council have really wasted their money. It has already been deemed unsafe by a safety officer. 

“If children are unsupervised it can cause potential problems. It is way too high for most kids.”

A spokesman for Camden Council said: “The area has been seen by an independent safety inspector who was in favour of the design. However he did recommend some minor improvements be made, such as improving hand-holds.”