Ruabon Community Council closes unsafe playground
A 40-year-old playground in Wrexham which is not safe for children has been closed until further notice.
Ruabon Community Council said the playground, near Ysgol Maes-Y-Llan, had come to the end of its life.
The council is bidding for funding to replace the equipment and safety surfacing, but does not know when the park will re-open.
Council clerk Claire Klimaszewski said it was a difficult decision, but they "couldn't risk" injuries to children.
Ms Klimaszewski denied local newspaper reports that the council could not afford insurance, adding that the playground was "fully insured until May".
However, she said the council would not be insured if it failed to carry out the necessary repairs.
She added: "Councillors were upset at closing the park but we couldn't risk a child getting injured.
"It needs new safety surfacing and some of the swings have perished.
"We didn't think it was right to use public money for the repairs when it's all hopefully going to be replaced anyway."
Ms Klimaszewski would not disclose how much money was needed, but said the council was applying for external funds and could provide match-funding.
She said reopening the playground was a priority.
The playground's gate has been padlocked, and a note on it says refurbishments are planned next spring.