Why has Rayleigh Town Council closed the car park in King George V Playing Field to the public?

For years, this car park has been especially convenient, not only for parents, but also for many of us grandparents who often take the kids to the children’s play area.

Without warning or explanation, the town council, which now has its offices in the playing field, has decided to close the car park to everyone except council staff.

Why? Apparently, as the council locks the gates at 5pm, frustrated motorists were unlawfully removing the chain and padlock because they were unable to leave the park. Some drivers even involved the police and fire service.

If all that mayhem was going on, why close the gates at 5pm when all other entrances to the playing field are not closed until dusk?

I have questioned the council and was told one reason for the new policy is that young people were parking and playing loud music.

The council claims there is also the safety issue that skateboards might land at speed in the car park, which could potentially damage cars and injure pedestrians.

Bearing in mind the threat of runaway skateboards, what will happen when the car park opens for the annual fair, bouncy castles and other all-day events? The car park will still be closed to the public.

Why did the council go to the bother of resurfacing the car park?

It says vandals were throwing stones, some of which hit windows in nearby offices.

So there we have it, some of the pathetic excuses which Rayleigh Town Council wrongly assumed have given it the power to confiscate a small parcel of our playing field.

King George V Playing Fields Foundation was set up as a memorial to King George for the sole use and enjoyment of us, the people.

The car park in the playing field is now out of bounds except for council staff. Oops, that niggling abuse-of-power bit has reared its ugly head again.

Putting all that to one side, if anyone thinks erecting a skateboard park adjacent to a car park is mindboggling, what about a council which spent good money on resurfacing a car park, only to stop the people from parking there? You couldn’t make it up.

Derek Gilbert
Nevern Close
Rayleigh