A petition calling for an “important” Bromley recreation ground to receive repairs after play equipment "broke a year ago" has received over 400 signatures.

Southborough Recreation Playground is located near Bickley, close to Southborough Primary School, and is “popular” for parents who take their children to the playground after school.

News Shopper: The playground is reportedly in “desperate need” of repair works.The playground is reportedly in “desperate need” of repair works. (Image: Contributor)

However, the playground is reportedly in “desperate need” of repair works, as several pieces of play equipment apparatus have broken and not been repaired over the last year.

In response, parent Jon Lucocq launched a petition calling on Bromley Council to repair the playground and for it to be “properly maintained.”

News Shopper: A petition is calling on Bromley Council to repair the playground and for it to be “properly maintained.”A petition is calling on Bromley Council to repair the playground and for it to be “properly maintained.” (Image: Contributor)

Jon described the playground as an “important” space within the community and added that the space had been “deteriorating over time.”

A statement on the petition read: “It's disheartening that such an important space for our community's youth is not being maintained properly.”

News Shopper: The “important” space within the community has been “deteriorating over time.”The “important” space within the community has been “deteriorating over time.” (Image: Contributor)

So far, the petition has received 427 signatures, 73 short of the 500-signature goal.

One parent who signed the petition but wishes to be kept anonymous told News Shopper that she had witnessed “several” pieces of equipment break over the last year including the roundabout, which is currently fenced off using what appeared to be “builders fencing.”

News Shopper: The roundabout is currently fenced off.The roundabout is currently fenced off. (Image: Contributor)

The parent said: “The playground is in desperate need of updating and making it safe, because I don't think it's a particularly safe area.

“We’re losing half the park because of the repair works that haven’t been done, it was always a place I take my children to after school to play and socialise and now I don’t even go.”

News Shopper: So far, the petition has received 427 signatures.So far, the petition has received 427 signatures. (Image: Contributor)

The parent added that she’s resorted to “going further afield” on the weekend in order to find a playground for her children to play in and added that the park has become “less busy and less used” in recent months.

News Shopper: One parent said they had resorted to “going further afield” at weekends to find a playground for her children.One parent said they had resorted to “going further afield” at weekends to find a playground for her children. (Image: Contributor)

A statement on the petition page read: “We urge Bromley Council to prioritize the refurbishment of Southborough Recreation Playground.

“This will not only provide a safer and more enjoyable environment for our kids but also demonstrate that they value their young residents' wellbeing.”

News Shopper: The petition urges Bromley Council to prioritize the refurbishment to provide a safer and more enjoyable environment.The petition urges Bromley Council to prioritize the refurbishment to provide a safer and more enjoyable environment. (Image: Contributor)

Councillor Will Rowlands, Bromley Council’s Executive Councillor for Environment, said: “We work with local residents and Friends Groups that fund-raise in support of their local parks and this is something we could look to do with Southborough Recreation Ground.

“The £1 million Jubilee Parks Fund is an example of this where nearby parks such as Petts Wood Recreation Ground and Whitehall Recreation Ground have already benefited, with further improvements to Norman Park to come.”