Playpark moved 90m to give children a place in the sun

TENS of thousands of pounds have been spent on moving a playpark 90 metres across a field - because the children who played there weren't getting enough sunshine.

• Murieston Park play area has been moved just 90 metres from its former position to provide more sunshine for children

West Lothian council bosses decided to move a climbing frame, swings, benches and woodchip flooring, at Murieston Park because they said it was too dark and cold for kids.

Around 50,000 was spent on moving the equipment and adding some new features over a four-week period.

• Is it a good idea to move a playpark so that kids get more sunlight? Vote here

Work was carried out at 19 other playgrounds in the area with 1.1 million spent on upgrades during this financial year, including 200,000 at Beecraigs Country Park in Linlithgow. Only the Murieston Park play area was moved.

The council says local people were consulted but some residents have criticised the decision, claiming it is a waste of taxpayers' money.

Currently the council is facing an estimated 45 million budget shortfall by 2014, and closures to residential homes, after-school care and public sector jobs have been threatened.

Photographer, Kristin Mitchell said she felt the decision was "daft". She said: "I think it's a total waste of cash. I saw contractors working to move the park, but when I asked them what they were doing they said it was because the kids weren't getting enough sunshine. We've just had a spending review, people are losing their jobs, and yet thousands goes on moving a play area.

"The kids will perhaps get 15 minutes more sunshine in the morning, and 15 minutes in the evening. We're about to hit winter, so it's not going to be used much in coming months."

Another resident added: "I can see it from both sides. Kids can't be playing on a dangerous structure and the council would be paying out more compensation if they were, but you have to wonder why they've spent so much at such a tight time.

"I do agree with the refurbishment though, it was in need of new equipment."

A spokesman at the city council said: "The play park's location has moved slightly and offers easier access with more visibility and addresses concerns regarding a frost pocket which affected the area in the winter.

"As with the improvements to all our play parks we carried out extensive consultation."

And local Labour councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: "When the park was built 40 years ago there was a lot more sunshine, but that is not the case now because trees have grown around the area.

"I think the leisure officers have done a very good job."

But father of two Brian Healy, 39, from Livingston said: "Too cold? Kids running about will soon warm up and not mind a bit of cold."