A DROITWICH resident has hit out at Wychavon District Council for paying for a sign in the Lido Park which is on the fence of a private property.
Ann Bennett contacted us about the sign which reads: ‘PRIVATE PROPERTY. Do not climb over the fence to fetch footballs’.
The council’s logo is also on the sign but Mrs Bennett claimed she was told putting the logo on it was a mistake and they would have another sign made without it.
“They told me that they had a meeting with the community officers and the owner who had complained about the footballs,” she said.
“It was then decided the council would put up the sign.
“If the owner can afford a property like that, they can afford a sign to ask people not to retrieve footballs.
“Two years ago I suggested putting up signs on the other side of the park to stop speeding drivers who were endangering children’s lives and was told there was no cash available for it.
“Instead they told me they could give me a speed camera and a high vis jacket and I could conduct my own speed monitoring.”
Jayne O’Connor, Wychavon District Council’s greenspace officer, said: “On a number of occasions we have found our shrubs and protective knee rails damaged and broken because people have been trampling them to climb over a private fence in to private property to retrieve the balls they have lost.”
She added it had forced the council to replace plants, shrubs and the knee rails on more than one occasion.
“Because of this problem, we approached the resident whose fence borders the Lido Park and asked their permission to place signs on their fence.
“This, we hope, will deter people from trespassing into a private garden and also prevent further damage to our property and expense to us.”
She added the authority was grateful for the assistance we received from the resident as placing the signs on their fence saved the council the additional cost of having to install fencing or posts which similar signs would have been placed on.
