SCHOOLCHILDREN who are angry over a road being built through their park in Princetown held a 'Save Our Park' protest at the site on Friday. Around 50 children with banners gathered at the site and motorists driving by were asked to honk their horns in support. The youngsters from the primary school were surprised to see railings going up in the park last week. When they made enquiries they were told the access road to the new community centre would be going there and part of the park with play equipment would be out of bounds. Zakira Huntley, 10, and Lucy McLaren, 11, were among the protesters: 'This is our only park — the only thing we can do in Princetown,' said Zakira. 'There are four things which we mainly play on and we have been told they are either being moved or taken away altogether.' Zakira said there were other roads that could be used to access the new centre without having to build a new one. Zakira's mother, Lindsey, said everyone was unaware of an access road through the park: 'We all thought it was going to be somewhere else but it looks as if the plans have been changed and approved without anyone making a fuss. 'It would have been nice for the children to be consulted over this. Is it really safe to have a road through a children's play area? 'Some of the park equipment has been condemned and is being taken down next week but we don't know where the money is coming from to replace it. There is £1.4-million to build the new hall but no money for the kids' play equipment.' Mrs Huntley said a group of about 20 children who had lived most of their lives in Princetown had used the park for a long time: 'They were very motivated to do something and so they got together and organised the protest. The whole thing has just snowballed.' The children plan to continuing protesting at the site until next week when the play equipment is due to be taken down and the building work to start. Parish councillor Wendy Stone was among those who saw the protest. 'I got a phone call and went up there and I found them all very professional,' she said. 'I think the problem is there has been a breakdown in communication. No-one thought to go into the school and tell the children what was happening.' The project is being led by the High Moorland Community Action (HMCA) which aims to deal with the main road into the site and parking in phase two of the project. 'The main entrance for vehicles will be from Barrack Road,' said Mrs Stone. The road through the park would give access from the school to the new centre and granite walls would be built separating it from the play area. She said the village had been waiting 20 years for the new hall and it would also house the doctor's surgery, library and a purpose built pre-school and function rooms. She added that recently the children had gained a new football pitch and a pavilion. They would be able to use the play equipment during half-term, after which time it would be removed and the area fenced off for health and safety reasons. The clerk and a member of the parish council were working hard to try and gain funding for new play equipment, she said. Chairman of HMCA David Swale said this road had been part of the plans which went out to public consultation via displays and newsletters. 'Nobody objected at the time and the important thing is that the equipment will be moved to another area once the road is built. 'I understand that the intention by the builders is also to provide some extra equipment as a goodwill gesture,' he said.
