Petition - Safety Fence at Green Road Morar Drive Play Park
Renfrewshire Council · 31 August 2026
Back to Petitions Board — 31 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
PUBLIC To: Petitions Board On: 31 August 2026 Report by: Director of Finance and Resources Heading: Petition - Safety Fence at Green Road Morar Drive Play Park 1. Summary 1.1 The Council has agreed procedures in relation to the submission of petitions including parameters for determining valid petitions and those areas where petitions would not be valid. 1.2 All petitions are to be submitted to the Board for consideration. Where the Head of Corporate Governance does not consider a petition to be valid in terms of the Council’s Petitions Procedure a summary will be provided to the Board outlining the reasons why. However, it is for the Board to determine the validity of such petitions. 1.3 A petition containing 107 signatures has been received from Green Road Morar Drive Kids Safety Alliance in the following terms: - “Safety Fence at Green Road Morar Drive Play Park We, the undersigned, request that Renfrewshire Council install a safety fence around the main play area at Green Road Morar drive play park. The play park is currently open to the car park/road and to areas where dogs are often off-lead creating safety concerns for younger children. A secure fence would significantly improve safety and bring the park in line with other local play areas. We also ask the council to ensure that the existing small fenced Green Road toddler play park is not penalised, downgraded or deprived of funding, maintenance or equipment as a result of installing a new fence at the main play area. Both spaces serve different needs and are important to local families.
Page 2
PUBLIC We ask the Council to prioritise these actions to ensure a safer, fairer, and more accessible environment for all children in the community” 1.4 The Head of Corporate Governance has reviewed this petition and considers it valid in terms of the procedures. 1.5 The Council’s Head of Operations & Service Development has provided a response to the concerns raised in the petition and where appropriate suggested actions to resolve them. This response is set out in full at Appendix 1 to this report. 1.6 The role of the Board is to consider the petition and take the appropriate action in respect of the petition which will be one of the following: (a) that no action is taken, in which case the reasons will be specified and intimated to the petitioner; (b) that the petition be referred to the relevant director/and or policy board for further investigation, with or without any specific recommendation; or (c) refer the petition to another organisation if the petition relates to that organisation. 1.7 The principal petitioner, together with one supporter has been invited to attend the meeting. 2 Recommendation 2.1 That the Board considers the petition. 3. Implications of the Report 1. Financial – none 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning - none 4. Legal – none 5. Property/Assets – none 6. Information Technology - none. 7. Equality & Human Rights - none The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of
Page 3
PUBLIC individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - none 9. Procurement - none 10. Risk - none. 11. Privacy Impact - none 12. Cosla Policy Position – not applicable. 13. Climate Risk – not applicable List of Background Papers (a) Background Paper - Petition Author: Euan Gray, Senior Committee Services Officer Tel: 0141 487 1099 Email: euan.gray@renfrewshire.gov.uk
Page 4
Appendix 1 PUBLIC Service Response Introduction The Council acknowledges the concerns raised by the petitioner and recognises the importance of providing safe, accessible and high-quality play opportunities for children and families within the local community. The matters raised within the petition have been considered by the Council on several occasions since the play area was renewed in 2022. These issues have been the subject of several complaints, service requests and Freedom of Information requests. Most recently, the concerns were fully investigated through the Council's Stage 2 Complaints Procedure, which included consideration of the site's design, safety arrangements, relevant industry standards and previous assessments. Background The current playpark replaced an existing play facility, consisting of a 4-seat swing and a small climber, that had been located there for several decades. In 2022, the Council invested in the renewal and expansion of the play area to provide improved play opportunities for a wider age range of children, including the installation of inclusive play equipment designed to support children with additional needs. During the planning process, consideration was given to the location of the replacement play area within the park. The chosen location was identified as the most suitable area as it is flatter, has more favourable ground conditions and could accommodate the expanded range of equipment. Alternative locations within the park presented significant challenges in relation to gradients, accessibility, drainage and site layout constraints. The proposals for the renewed playpark were subject to public consultation during 2022. Whilst a range of views were expressed regarding the future development of the site, only one consultation response specifically requested the installation of a boundary fence around the renewed playpark. This suggests that boundary fencing was not considered to be a priority by the majority of respondents at the time the project was being developed. Since completion of the project, the Council has received several complaints, service requests and Freedom of Information requests in relation to the play park, including requests for the installation of boundary fencing, additional footpaths and drainage improvements, all of which has been considered in line with Council processes and procedures. It should be noted that all complaints and correspondence received regarding requests for fencing, additional footpaths and drainage improvements at this location have originated from the petitioner directly. Whilst the petition demonstrates wider support for the request for fencing, the service has not received complaints or requests directly from other park users, nor has it received direct representations from any other individuals identifying themselves as members of the Green Road Morar Drive Kids Safety Alliance. Fencing and Safety Considerations A road safety assessment was undertaken by the Council's Supervisory Transportation Officer in July 2022. Following this assessment, it was concluded that the installation of a fence or barrier was not required from a road safety perspective.
Page 5
PUBLIC In reaching this conclusion, consideration was given to the overall site layout, accessibility requirements and the potential unintended consequences associated with boundary fencing. These included restricting natural access routes, creating bottlenecks at entrances and exits, reducing accessibility for disabled users accessing the play area from nearby parking spaces, and encouraging an over-reliance on physical barriers rather than appropriate supervision and awareness. The play area is separated from the adjacent car park by an existing footpath, which provides a degree of physical and visual separation between areas used for play and areas used by vehicles. The Council also notes that neither BS EN 1176 nor BS EN 1177 require play areas to be enclosed by fencing. Similarly, guidance published by RoSPA advocates a proportionate and site-specific approach to risk management rather than a presumption that all play areas should be fenced. Accordingly, the Council's position remains that there is currently no evidence-based requirement to install boundary fencing in order to address road safety concerns at this location. Inspection and Maintenance The play area was designed and installed in accordance with recognised industry standards and successfully passed an independent post-installation inspection. The site continues to be subject to routine visual, operational and annual inspections undertaken by appropriately qualified inspectors and in line with the relevant British Standard BS EN 1176. These inspections form part of the Council's established playground management procedures and are intended to identify and address any defects or safety issues requiring attention. No evidence has been identified through these inspections to indicate that the play area presents an unmanaged or unacceptable safety risk, nor that it is being managed in a manner inconsistent with recognised industry standards and good practice. Dogs, Learner Drivers and Other Concerns The Council acknowledges concerns regarding off-lead dogs, dog fouling and learner driver activity within the adjacent car park. However, these matters fall within separate enforcement arrangements and do not, in themselves, indicate a failure in the management or operation of the play area. In relation to dog-related concerns, operational experience across the Council's wider parks and open spaces portfolio indicates that the installation of boundary fencing does not necessarily prevent dogs from entering play areas or owners from allowing dogs access to them. In some cases, enclosed areas can be perceived as suitable spaces in which dogs can be exercised off- lead. Consequently, fencing should not be regarded as an effective solution to issues relating to dog fouling or irresponsible dog ownership, which are enforcement matters rather than design matters. The Council received a report of a dangerous dog within the play area on 19 March 2026. Following receipt of this report, the damaged zip-slide seat was removed and warning signage was installed to make park users aware of the damage caused until the seat was replaced on 28 April 2026. The incident was also reported through the Council's Community Safety Hub. Information provided through that process indicated that the reporter had contacted Police Scotland and that
Page 6
PUBLIC officers attended the location. Following Police Scotland's assessment of the circumstances, it was determined that the dogs involved were playing, at no time were the dogs out of control and no criminality was established. Accordingly, no further enforcement action was pursued. Whilst the incident was taken seriously and appropriate precautionary measures were implemented by the Council in relation to the damaged equipment, the findings of the Police Scotland attendance did not identify a dangerous dog offence or other criminal matter. Concerns regarding dog control remain matters for the Council's Wardens Service, while incidents involving dangerous or aggressive dogs should continue to be reported directly to Police Scotland. With regard to learner driver activity, the Council understands the concerns expressed. However, Neighbourhood Services does not possess powers to prohibit or regulate lawful driving activity within the car park and is therefore unable to implement the restrictions requested. Drainage concerns raised in correspondence have been investigated and will continue to be monitored. Some small scale localised drainage may be considered to alleviate the slowest draining area near to the playpark but this is not considered to be a priority. Future Investment Whilst the Council's assessment remains that fencing is not currently required from a road safety perspective, requests for boundary fencing have been acknowledged and will be considered alongside other potential improvements as part of future investment planning processes. The Council also notes the petitioners' request that the existing toddler play area should not be disadvantaged by any future investment in the main play area. There are currently no proposals to remove, downgrade or reduce play provision or maintenance within the toddler play area. Any future improvement works would be considered in the context of available budgets and consultation outcomes. As such, it would not be appropriate at this stage to make commitments regarding future capital investment programmes. Conclusion Having considered the matters raised within the petition, officers conclude that: • The play area was designed, installed and is maintained in accordance with recognised industry standards and established good practice. • Previous professional assessments and inspections have not identified a requirement for boundary fencing. • Regular inspection and maintenance regimes are in place and no evidence has been identified that would indicate the play area presents an unmanaged or unacceptable safety risk. • Issues relating to dog control and learner driver activity are subject to separate enforcement arrangements and cannot be addressed solely through the installation of fencing. • Drainage concerns continue to be investigated through existing service procedures.
Page 7
PUBLIC • Requests for fencing and other site improvements are being considered as part of future investment planning exercises, subject to available funding.