Councils that conformed to the EU rules were able to protect themselves from legal action, said Dr Gummer, adding: “Obviously, if kids get injured and they haven’t followed those standards, the council and possibly the installers would be liable for the claim. We would be risking our kids’ safety if we compromised the standards.”
She said most councils would say that they expect those standards to be adhered to.
David Yearly, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said there was a large amount of health and safety legislation in place “to ensure users do not come into contact with other users, or with parts of the structure”.
The major playground manufacturers in Britain are among the API’s 60 members, including most used by councils, meaning they align with the EU rules.
East Devon District Council said the swings were not being removed solely because of EU law, with a spokesman saying: “There are various reasons why the plans for this particular park, with its limited space, do not include swings.”
The spokesman said the council worked with “three specialist companies, experienced in building play parks” who proposed three designs without swings, partly because of the EU standards.
“Even if sufficient space were available, the play area would consist of only a single set of swings, offering poor play value compared to the themed and tailored ship currently being delivered,” he added.
“Children’s safety is of paramount importance. As a council providing facilities for children, it is imperative that we adhere to these standards to minimise the risk of incidents.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
