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Anger over removal order for community goalposts

Steve Yabsley & Lucy Tegg
BBC News
BBC One of the new goalposts in place on a green space in Charfield. Pictured on a sunny day, with housing in the background, surrounded by a brick wall.BBC
The goalposts were bought by people living in Charfield

Villagers in Charfield, South Gloucestershire, say they have been ordered to remove new goalposts, bought by the community.

Local mother of three, Olivia Dibden said: "The money that we raised was donated kindly and generously by over 27 families within the village."

But days after the goalposts were put up on a public green space, close to housing on Underhill Road, residents said they were ordered to remove them within seven days.

South Gloucestershire Council said it had a duty of care to ensure all play equipment on public open spaces was "appropriately installed and maintained".

Residents said the letter stated: "If the encroaching material remains in situ, the council will remove the items and dispose of them."

Olivia Dibden said: "It was heart-breaking. The letter was entitled 'fly-tipping', which angered quite a lot of people."

A sign left on protective wiring which surrounds a tree on a green space in Charfield. The sign reads: "these goal posts were kindly funded by the community of Charfield, please help look after them so that everybody can enjoy a game (and remember the village when you make it to pro!)
Locals in Charfield say they've been told to remove newly installed goalposts

She admitted the council explained complaints had been made but added: "So quickly this is the outcome - that we've been accused of fly-tipping."

Resident Catherine Lock said the council had also raised concerns over health and safety.

She said: "I feel as if they have their hands tied behind their back, because if they leave them here, they're setting a precedent."

'Duty of care'

She added: "Unfortunately, the way society is, where we've fallen into this 'claim culture', should someone end up hurting themselves and claim from the council, they don't want to be liable. It's a really sad situation."

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council, said: "We appreciate the effort local residents have put into installing the goalposts.

"However, we do have a duty of care to ensure all play equipment at our public open spaces has the relevant permission and is appropriately installed and maintained.

"We will continue our dialogue with residents about the matter and intend to liaise with the Parish Council to discuss potential solutions."

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