Residents in Newport have complained about "awful" state of their local playground saying it has become unusable and that nothing has been done despite years of campaigning.
Residents living in the Celtic Horizons estate in Duffryn, Newport, claim the children's playground there has become rundown over the years, resulting in several pieces of equipment being removed.
Pictures taken last week of the playground, which is located near Morgraig Avenue near the entrance to Asda, show rusted metal and rotting wood on some of its equipment, as well as uneven, cracked surfaces and rusty bolts.
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Residents claim there has been little improvement to the playground despite a number of residents contacting Newport council and local representatives over the past few years.
Lucy Went, 35, has lived on the Celtic Horizons estate for seven years. She said she now avoids bringing her six-year-old son to the playground, instead bringing him to a park further from her house, even though they live only around the corner from the playground.
"It has never been good, but it's getting worse," she said.
"Since we moved in there has been at least some pieces of equipment that have been taken away after going into disrepair and not replaced."
Lucy said items such as swings have been removed over the years and that the remaining equipment at the playground is in an "awful condition".
"Especially when it rains - it floods all the time, to the point where it's like a paddling pool," she said.
"The stuff that's left - I think there's some child's swings, see-saw - the wood is rotten on it, and where there's paint it is peeling off."
She said she would prefer to bring her child to the nearer playground, but said it was a "health hazard".
"It's on our doorstep, so it's a shame really. We go to one of the other parks further away but it's not ideal when you've only got ten minutes, which is sometimes all I've got."
A number of residents have been campaigning to have the playground improved over the years, including petitions, calls to the council and contact with local representatives.
And Lucy said the playground would benefit a huge amount of people in the area if it was improved.
"There are a lot of families in this area, there is a very young demographic. It's rubbish, because it's something that would get used by the community.
"It’s a nice estate where we pay plenty of council tax. The kids have a right to have a safe space to play in."
A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: "The council is currently looking at options for replacing the equipment in this play area.
"Once this has been completed, we will provide further updates."
