PARK users and dog walkers are furious that three of the four main paths through Heavitree Pleasure Ground have been ripped up at the same time by workmen.
The paths are being relaid as pedestrian/cycle paths but rather than finish one section before starting another all the old paths have been taken out at the same time at the park's western end.
One elderly dog walker, who did not want to be named, said: "I tried to get in by the Hamlin Lane entrance but that was closed so I went to the Roseland Crescent entrance but that was fenced off too.
"I managed to slip through a gap but found all the paths, to the left, right and straight ahead had been ripped up. It was very muddy and I don't know how mothers with children and buggies going to St Michael's school could manage.
"But I can see why they chopped down the chestnut trees – because that's where the new path is going."
Tyna Crow, correct city councillor for the ward, has had many complaints from residents and described ripping up the paths at the same time as "crackers".
Cllr Crow said: "I have had complaints about this, particularly from mums trying to get their children up to the pre-school as they normally take what is a pleasant short cut through the park.
"The work also seems to be taking longer than anticipated.
"It seems crackers to me that they didn't finish one section before ripping up another."
A Devon County Council spokesman said: "The scheme is due to be completed by the end of March but may run slightly over if poor weather conditions continue. However, there would be no extra cost to Devon County Council or Exeter City Council. "Unfortunately, the Roseland Crescent end has had to be fenced off because some people were breaking through the barriers which was presenting a health and safety risk with the heavy machinery working on site."
The spokesman added that the chestnut trees had been monitored for several years and were felled because of disease. Seven oaks have been planted in their stead and a further five trees have been planted around the pleasure ground.
↧