BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council has said it is carrying out ‘essential repairs’ to a section of the play area at Eastrop Park after it was vandalised.

As previously reported, the slide and climbing frame have been fenced off.

The council has said that it has been forced to close off the area after the equipment was damaged by vandalism.

READ MORE: Large parts of popular play park closed just as school holidays start

Parts of the play area at Eastrop are cordoned off (Image: Newsquest) A council spokesperson said: “This work will make the area safe for children to play on again and will be completed by the end of the week for families to enjoy during the school holidays.

“At the same time, we have been replacing the bark underneath the spider web at the play area. This work has now been completed and forms part of the improvements we have made at the play area over the past month including installing a new rubber safety surface in the majority of the play area and replacing the broken wheelchair swing with a new inclusive swing.”

They continued: “These improvement works have been funded thanks to increased funding to maintain and repair the borough council’s 150 play areas to ensure they are accessible to all, well maintained and fun places for residents and families.”

The paddling pool at Eastrop Park was also temporarily closed ‘due to an issue with the plant room’, but this has now been fixed and the pool is ‘open subject to ongoing water testing’.