The fence was taken down after delays in opening the children’s playground

A new playground installed at Newtown Park last month is still closed to the public. And earlier this week, part of the fence blocking it was torn down.

Members of local community group Newtown Network are keen to organize a fun day for local children next half term but are still waiting for the town council to get back to them with an official opening date.

Residents who campaigned and helped pay for the park’s first refurbishment in 18 years have expressed their disappointment at delays and a lack of communication from Bristol City Council. The park was part-funded by a Community Infrastructure Grant awarded to local community groups in 2019.

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The original grant did not cover all their costs and a new successful bid for CIL money was awarded in 2021, on top of the money given by the Old Market Forum to fund the playground.

Debbie Benjamin, resident and member of the Newtown Network, said: “This problem would never happen in Clifton, but why is the local community in Newtown waiting for an accident to happen? It was the local community of Newtown that paid for this play area to be built with the help of UWE.

“We still don’t know how much they spent on this project because we’re not big enough to answer emails or anything. We are frustrated and hurt by the situation.”

Bristol City Council has been contacted for comment.