Work is stopped at town park

Work on a new zipline and slide at a Tipton park has been put on hold after complaints from residents who say the play area is too close to their homes.

People living on the Boscobel estate in the town claim the new equipment in Victoria Park is being constructed too close to their homes and say they were not fully consulted on the plans.

Councillors have now had the development halted, for discussions to take place between the authority, which is building the new facility, and tenants and homeowners.

Councillor Ian Jones, member for Tipton Green, said: "Work started on construction last Wednesday and I was immediately contacted by people living nearby who said they knew nothing about what was happening.

"The people living on the estate are worried about the noise and the proximity to the boundary wall.

"They are not being unreasonable, they know this is a park and there will be young people around but they would prefer it if the development were further from their homes."

Councillor Jones said Sandwell Council is holding a project meeting about the scheme later today.

He will be requesting a formal consultation with all estate residents to discuss the issue they have raised.