Telford school play areas with wooded equipment close for testing
School play areas with wooden equipment in the Telford area have been temporarily closed amid safety fears.
Evidence of timber decay was discovered in some play equipment in the borough during a routine inspection by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). As a result primary schools with wooden play equipment have been told not to use it until further inspections have been carried out.
Officials at Telford & Wrekin Council said they were taking a "precautionary" measure in the interests of pupils' safety.
It is not yet clear when the play equipment will be available to use again.
Russell Griffin, spokesman for the council said: "The council has taken a precautionary step to prohibit the use of any wooden school playground equipment following concerns raised by inspectors from RoSPA and serious accidents elsewhere in the country.
"Routine inspections carried out by RoSPA revealed there is evidence of timber decay in some schools, particularly in vertical supports.
"This is a problem that affects this type of equipment in school playgrounds across the country.
"This affects all primary schools in the borough. We are carrying out inspections of each piece of equipment and have instructed schools not to use them until their equipment has passed that inspection. We hope to have the equipment back in use as soon as possible."
"This decision has not been taken lightly but the safety of our children is the absolute priority."
