THE play area on the Grange Estate in Winsford which residents fought to get back 13 years ago is in danger of being closed due to continued vandalism.

The Basford Way play area was attacked by arsonist vandals on Friday last week and a statement from Weaver Vale Housing Trust was released on Facebook saying that the Trust may be faced with no choice but to shut down the play area.

A statement released by Weaver Vale Housing Trust said: “Sorry to say we are a quite fed up. The play area on the Grange Estate has been vandalised yet again.

“Not only has the swing been removed, the impact surface has also been damaged, and if the problem gets any worse we will have to close the play area. This happened last year and we don’t want this to happen again.

“Please help us to put a stop to this miserable behaviour by a few that ruins it for everyone.”

Judith Burbidge, director of neighbourhoods and wellbeing at Weaver Vale Housing Trust, has now appealed to the community to help catch the people causing the damage.

Ms Burbridge said: “We were yet again dismayed to find that the playground has been vandalised. This mindless damage of children’s play equipment is not only upsetting for the local community but is also hugely expensive to fix. Each time this happens the local children are denied a valuable outside play resource which they are entitled to use in a safe and secure manner.

“We are pleased to see the expression of views on our Facebook page, but to stop this vandalism we need the local community to tell us who is responsible. Our post on Friday was seen by 9,500 people, someone must know who is responsible. We want to work with the community to provide a safe playground for all, but we also need to find those who are causing this vandalism.”

Residents of the Grange Estate fought for two years to get the play area brought back 13 years ago.

Mayor of Winsford, Cllr Mike Kennedy, was the chair of the Grange Residents’ Association worked tirelessly to get the play area brought back into use.

Cllr Kennedy said: “I’m really disgusted and gutted about this. I chaired the Grange Residents’ Association when I lived on the Grange Estate and it was us who got the play area reinstituted. We fought for something to be done as it had fallen into disrepair.

“It went on for two years, going through consultation with residents and young people, holding meetings with Weaver Vale Housing Trust, Vale Royal Borough Council, Cheshire Police, and Groundwork Cheshire, and we eventually got the funds to do it.

“After all that work, I’m saddened that the play area is at risk of being closed due to the small amount of idiots. If it gets taken away they win.

“At the end of the day it is a few people and at the Youth Forum, we’re going to ask questions and see if we can find information that may help bring the idiots to justice.”

Anybody who has any information as to who is causing the damage at the play area is urged to call Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0880 555 111.