Oxford City Council accept that “the overwhelming local community view … is that Bertie Park is needed.” Labour’s leaflet says they are “investing in our parks and shared spaces.” They’ve got “new play equipment” for Hinksey Park, Fox Crescent and Friars Wharf. But they want to shrink Bertie Park down to 20% of its size.
Hinksey Park Labour candidate Siobhan talks about “giving every young person the best start in life.” But the new local plan talks about replacing our Multi Use Games Area “with an alternative type of facility” or getting rid of it altogether. To compensate they would improve the capacity of an existing MUGA in the neighbourhood. They must mean the MUGA at Fox Crescent which is tiny, and already fills one end of the playground.
Labour says they are “combatting anti-social behaviour.” The police say OCC’s plans for Bertie Park will create a risk of “neighbour disturbances and community tension.” OCC also want to build 237 homes on Redbridge Paddock (on the other side of the Abingdon road) with no facilities for young adults.
That’s more young people with fewer amenities. Isn’t that a recipe for more antisocial behaviour?
Save Bertie Park Oxford 