Bournemouth MP says playgrounds are being left to rot

Tom Hayes has held a Parliamentary debate, calling for more investment in play areas

Author: Maria GreenwoodPublished 15th Jan 2025
Last updated 15th Jan 2025

The MP for Bournemouth East is lobbying the government for funding to improve ‘run down’ playgrounds.

Tom Hayes says play areas in Bournemouth are missing key equipment, falling into disrepair and are even being locked.

He's carried out a survey of his local constituents and raised the concerns of 36 local residents during a Parliamentary Debate to ensure their voices were heard by the government.

The debate followed a community roundtable and a public survey launched by the MP, which received 642 responses.

He told us: "The overwhelming views were that the state of play in Bournemouth was inadequate. That where children should be able to let off steam, event their own worlds and play safely, they're not able to."

Parents also stressed the lack of accessible play equipment for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The Labour MP feels it sends a message to parents that their child's happiness isn’t worth investing in.

He said: "When we let playgrounds rot, what we do is starve children of the play experience they're craving, so they end up staying in their bedrooms or their homes and just having a smart tablet in their hands. It's no wonder then that children spend their time on screens, increasingly addicted to social media.

"In a cost of living crisis having free play spaces is absolutely critical."

The MP called for a 'national playground’s strategy' and advocated for part of Sport England’s remit to include playgrounds, ensuring they receive 'the same status as sports facilities'.

Mr Hayes now urges the government to make policy changes to improve council funding for playgrounds following the "overwhelming" response to his survey.

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