£60k security fence plan to tackle yobs is in doubt (From Echo)

£60k security fence plan to tackle yobs is in doubt

3:10pm Wednesday 20th January 2010 in

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PLANS to erect a £60,000 security fence to stop late night yobbish behaviour in a Canvey park are in limbo leaving elderly residents furious.

Tony Belford, Castle Point councillor responsible for community safety, has admitted a scheme to install a two-metre high fence around King George V playing fields might not happen because of financial constraints.

The news comes as a hammer blow to elderly residents of nearby Willalla House, in Poplar Road, who have long suffered from antisocial behaviour in the park, including vandalism, late night drinking, drug taking and arson.

Resident Peter Kendrick, whose flat backs on to the playing field, said: “The council has let us down again. It is nothing short of incompetent.

“It’s quiet there now, but we won’t know how bad it is until the summer when the youths are out there. By then it will be too late.”

Castle Point Council revealed plans to install the fence more than 12 months ago.

However, there are now fears it will not happen at all because of its cost – £60,000 to install, and a further £20,000 to pay a security firm to lock and unlock the gates.

Mr Belford said: “Everyone knows financial times are tough at the moment and we may end up not making any changes.

“There’s no money in the budget, but there is a possibility it could be found from other grants.”

The council will decide between continuing with the plan, or two alternatives, which involve fencing off smaller parts of the park, at a cabinet meeting tonight.

Canvey councillor Dave Blackwell does not believe the delay comes down to the council’s lack of cash.

He said: “They’ve got more than £3million in the reserves.

“Surely they can dip into it for something of this importance.

“Every year they underspend on services. Well, it’s about time they put their hand in their pocket and got something done.”