Station Road recreation ground, Whittlesey, was said by the leader of Fenland District Council to be the most vandalised park across the whole of Fenland.
Cllr Chris Boden said that although vandalism hasn’t been restricted to Station Road rec “we see vandalism all over the place” this area stands out for all the wrong reasons.
“There’s vandalism and there’s vandalism and the extent to which that vandalism has taken place,” he said. “The number of times it’s taken place completely wrecking the equipment which has been placed there at the cost of thousands of pounds at a time.
“The extent to which that has happened at Station Road rec is far greater than anywhere else in the whole of not just of Whittlesey but in the whole of Fenland.
“And it comes to the stage eventually where a decision has to be made. If facilities are provided and they are they are vandalised again and again and again, at what point do you say it’s just not worth continuing to provide the facility?”
Earlier this month the portfolio holder for parks and open spaces, Cllr Jan French, agreed that damaged play equipment at Station Road Recreation Ground in Whittlesey be removed and the space returned to grass.
A decision notice published by Fenland Council said the play equipment at Station Road has been out of use for 18 months due to ongoing vandalism.
“The decision is to remove the equipment and remediate the area back to grass at a cost of approximately £15,000,” the council reported.
“This action is prompted by consistent vandalism and high maintenance costs.”
Reason for Decision:
- The play area has been repeatedly vandalized since its opening, leading to expensive repairs and closures.
- With a larger play area nearby at Manor Field, the removal will not affect community access to recreational spaces.
- The closure reduces wasteful spending on an area that is unlikely to improve due to repeated vandalism.
Alternative Options Considered:
- Fix the current play surface: Estimated cost of £25,000 – £30,000.
- Install CCTV: Estimated cost of £20,000, considering the power requirements.
The council statement added: “Initial negative reactions may occur, but there have been no complaints in 2025, and the Manor Field play area remains accessible.”
During a council debate on the issue Cllr Boden added: “In this particular case, there are alternative play facilities available, not across a road, not a million miles away, but in the adjacent Manor leisure area where there is play equipment which is available.
“I don’t like the idea of withdrawing any facility anywhere but ultimately choices have to be made.”
He said Fenland Council – on the basis of past performances – had “probably given the Station Road rec one chance more maybe than we maybe really financially should have done.”
Answering questions from Cllr Haq Nawaz of Whittlesey he said the council remained committed to ensuring the rec is not sold for development “and there is work to be done to ensure that the area is made available for the public in the long term not merely for the next three years until this council ceases to exist.
“But uniquely among the play areas that we have in Fenland, the play area on Station Road rec in Whittlesey has been subject to repeated and serious vandalism, really systematic vandalism to the extent of having individuals.
“I’m not going to comment on their age, individuals getting motorbikes up to put chains around the equipment and chains around rubber matting to tear it all up.
“And this has happened time and time again to the extent that probably it is the least advantageous place to put further facilities in because clearly it is located in such a place that it is susceptible to vandalism”.
Cllr Boden felt there was little appetite from local councillors or officers “to putting more money into something which has been vandalised so often so repeatedly and so destructively”.
Cllr Nawaz reminded Cllr Boden that most areas suffered from vandalism.
“So, do we do the same with all the places that is not replaced the equipment damaged because it has been vandalised,” he said “If not then why not?
“We should treat all the places the same; with particular reference to Station Road, I think the better option may be to pursue the amelioration of vandalism to work with the local community and the police.
“And there is a history that when we work with the communities and with the police these things can come under control. That would be my suggestion. To do the contrary I think would be perceived as a collective punishment to the community just because of a few idiots – give me a village where there aren’t one or two idiots”
