Safety Risk and Decay Found at Willow Crescent, Oakham Play Area, Prompting Call for Urgent Maintenance

Safety Risk and Decay Found at Willow Crescent, Oakham Play Area, Prompting Call for Urgent Maintenance

Willow Crescent Play Area 2016

Willow Crescent Play Area has been classified as "Medium Risk" in a recent annual inspection report, highlighting significant maintenance failures, including decaying perimeter fencing and a critical missing safety cap on a swing.

The report, dated November 27, 2025, from Seagrave Inspection Services Ltd, gave the site an overall Medium Risk (10) rating. According to the inspector's scale, a Medium Risk score of 8-12 requires the Council to "Take action to reduce if possible" on the identified hazards.

The issues posing the highest risk to children using the play area relate to structural decay and missing safety components:

The 1 Bay 2 Flat Swing was flagged as a Risk 10 because a "Missing end cap" was evident on the crossbar. The inspector recommended to "Replace missing end cap".

The Fencing and Gates were rated as being in "Poor" condition , with "Decay evident to gate & fencing" noted (Risk 10). The report recommends to "Replace decayed elements as required".

The 1 Bay 2 Cradle Swing was flagged for multiple Risk 8 defects , including gaps evident in the rubber tiles of the safety surfacing , wear evident on the chain and connecting link(s) , and slight damage evident to the seats.

The overall report included a general comment advising the Council to "Consider a robust maintenance and inspection schedule".

Councillor Blasts Council and Ongoing Neglect

Oakham Town Councillor Martin Brookes, who resides in the ward, issued a strong statement directly linking the inspection failures to what he describes as a pervasive lack of oversight and maintenance within the Town Council.

“This report does not surprise, since returning to Oakham Town Council over a year ago I have raised concerns about this, in communications I even asked if the handyman could paint the boundary fence and pick the litter, I sent photos. As an Oakham Town Councillor it appears you can not point out neglect like that within our play areas without the staff accusing you of bullying and them packing up and going home sick. I have constantly raised the issue of the neglect of the trees and All Saints Church yard. The staff respond with the handyman regularly inspects, if they are inspecting the big question for me is why is nothing being done. these poor reports are nothing new the neglect goes back years. The tax payers of Oakham deserve better. Only this week I am being asked to approve another increased budget. The largest cost is staffing and the majority of the rest goes to the running costs of the council. Currently one of our staff is subject to complaints from another member of the council and that member of staff has now gone of sick until January 4th 2026. I hope we can set up a working group on Wednesday given the task to sort out the ongoing neglect of our play areas. Past reports being very similar prove those responsible are not up to the job."