Parents who have campaigned for years for improvements to a neglected playground nicknamed 'ratty park' have called for work to start immediately.
Hazel Road Open Space in Kensal Green has suffered from rats, anti-social behaviour, crumbling play equipment and blatant drug-taking for years, according to people who live nearby.
One mum, Charlene Butler, is among those who have campaigned for improvements to the park over the past two years.
She told Brent and Kilburn Times that despite having secured money earlier this year for work to take place, it is yet to begin.
Campaigners claim that Brent Council has given no indication as to when the £50,000 project will be completed.
Although it is expected that funding will be able to secure new equipment for the park’s playground, the grant - paid from money contributed by developers - cannot be used for general maintenance.
Concerned park users have now called on the council to commit to carrying out regular upkeep of the space and to set out a timeline for the improvement works.
Charlene said: “For some, particularly the most vulnerable in our community, this is the only green space accessible.
“We are frustrated by the length of time it has taken to implement the work and for maintenance and repairs to be carried out.
“The community wish to see the issues in this park addressed by Brent Council and for the space to be revitalised.”
Another mum-of-two, Jen Macpherson, took matters into her own hands earlier this year, raising more than £1,000 on GoFundMe for litter picking and planting around the playground.
Jen said it was “depressing” that the problems in the park had remained unchanged over the ten years she has lived in Kensal Green.
“A lot of people come to the playground to do drugs and it’s pretty gritty,” she explained. “There’s sometimes human excrement on the floor.
“What’s so depressing is that despite this campaign nothing has changed. People were finding syringes ten years ago, and it’s pretty much the same kind of deal now.”
Jen added that achieving funding for improvements was “positive” but that it was confusing that works had still not started.
Cllr Krupa Sheth, Brent cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, has now confirmed that new playground equipment, new planting, and a new chess table will be in place in the park by next spring.
She added: “We recognise that the project is not moving forward as quickly as local residents would like and we apologise for that.”
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