Frustration Over Progress of Work at Ealing Central Sports Ground
Residents say delayed completion has made it 'unusable' for three years
Works have been ongoing for three years . Picture: Alex Nieora
June 2, 2023
There is continued frustration from some residents living near the Ealing Central Sports Grounds about the progress of work in the park. They say that for a third summer in a row their local green space will not be available to them.
A project to improve the 15 hectare playing fields in Perivale was initiated by the council in 2020 with improved drainage promised. Soil was added to the playing surfaces with council officers telling residents that this would make it less likely sports fixtures at the ground would be cancelled, but since then parts of the area have continued to look like a building site and there has been disappointment locally at what has been delivered.
Just recently fences around the northern section of the grounds appear to have been knocked over leading to confusion as to whether work in this area has been completed and if it is now open to the public. Cricket pitches in the area remain unplayable despite the council previously saying sporting activities would resume at the site this year.
Confusion over reason for the taking down of fences. Picture: Alex Nieora
John Mullane of the Perivale Residents Society said, “ It is shocking what our Council have done to this facility, 3 years on and it looks a complete mess and unusable for residents.”
As well as the metal fences left at the site significant areas have been taken up for some time with containers and building materials.
It is feared that the general state of the grounds is encouraging fly tipping and street-drinkers and there are complaints that the council has been slow to clear up after incidents.
Building materials have been deposited in the grounds for some time. Picture: Alex Nieora
Local resident Alex Nieora points out that the trench dug around perimeter of the site, presumably to improve drainage means that it is impossible for residents to gain access without getting muddy shoes.
He says he has resorted to carrying out his own maintenance of the surrounding area including trimming the hedge on Horsenden Lane South opposite Perivale tube station to stop it blocking the pavement.
Another person living close to the park said on social media, "A lovely green space with perfectly serviceable sports pitches has been closed to the public for almost 3 years and effectively returned in a vandalised state. How can an elderly or physically restricted person access these areas for recreational purposes without step access? How can sport be played on pitches with such a tilt? What is being done about the moat that is created around the periphery every time it rains?"
Residents complain about muddy trenches around the site. Picture: Alex Nieora
Some argue that work taking place on the site could incorporate a rewilding of parts of the grounds.
Mr Nieora and other local residents claim there has been a lack of information from Ealing Council about the progress of work on the project. The council have previously rejected claims that the land is being considered for a residential development but the latest update given by the council was in October 2022.
Ealing Council spokesperson said,“The council understands residents’ concerns about this space, and is working with contractors to bring it back into full use as soon as possible. Unfortunately the very wet weather this Spring has caused several delays as the site was simply too wet for works to proceed. Contractors will be back on site from week commencing 12 June. We are hoping to be in a position to reopen the site from July.
“Greyline, the housing contractor currently using the car park, will stop using the site before the return of cricket play towards the end of June.”
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