Coventry parks 'mirrored scenes like Skegness' after people turn up with barbecues

[dutchman]

Council bosses may reconsider the decision to keep parks open for exercise if people continue to ignore social distancing advice



Visitors to Coombe park were said to be turning up with barbecues over the weekend - ignoring social distancing advice.

Andrew Walste, director of streetscene and regulatory services for Coventry City Council, said scenes in parks like Coombe Abbey and the War Memorial Park "mirrored scenes like Skegness and Brighton beach".

Coventry's parks remain open despite playgrounds shutting yesterday. The council says it wants to keep them open so people can exercise and get some fresh air.

But he warned council bosses may be forced to reconsider that decision if people did not maintain social distancing and stay at least two metres apart.

Andrew Walste, director of streetscene and regulatory services, said: “Parks like Coombe and the War Memorial over the weekend mirrored scenes like Skegness and Brighton beach as people were not taking the advice on social distancing.

“That has been considerably better now so we have not made any decision to close the parks but food stalls did close as of last night.

“We are not proposing to close the car parks at present but if we do get an issue with social distancing that is something we will consider too.”

Children’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms across Coventry parks were closed yesterday (Tuesday, March 24) due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The move has been made following government advice as the country attempts to halt the spread of Covid-19 and save lives.