An Angus mother is fighting to replace equipment in her local park after her daughter cried at its removal.
Carnoustie woman Angela Addis criticised Angus Council maintenance cuts after two-year-old Sophia’s favourite slide was removed from Ravensby Park.
The council opted to stop investing in play equipment for 20 of its parks last month, and six were to have theirs removed immediately.
Swing sets and roundabouts have been retained in 75 parks up from the 50 originally envisaged as part of a cost-cutting exercise by the council.
But the mother of two claims Ravensby Park has been reduced to a skeleton and children like Sophia and her new-born brother, Lucas, will suffer.
“It’s almost like they’re ripping out the heart of the community,” she said.
“To say that they’re just going to tear down a children’s play area with no intention of putting it back together, it’s just not right.”
The teacher and her husband Scott have started a campaign to see the slide reinstated. They may form a group to help pay the maintenance costs.
Carnoustie councillor Brian Boyd said the council’s decision was in the community’s best interest but he does sympathise with Sophia.
“This situation isn’t ideal for everyone, but the majority of people seem pleased with the changes we’ve had to make,” he said.
“We were able to save the majority of Carnoustie’s play parks and there’s another facility 200 yards up the road from Ravensby Park.”
A council spokeswoman said: “These are tough times and the council is facing some difficult decisions.”