Petition brings back goalposts

Dozens of children were disappointed when Oxford City Council removed the posts from the park, in Valentia Road, Headington, in October, after an inspection found them to be badly rusted and posing a danger to the children using them.

At the time, the city council said it did not have enough money in its budget to replace them.

But local resident Mark Lygo and his two children, Emily, four, and Sam, seven, collected more than 250 signatures on a petition which they presented to councillor Joe McManners.

The council's north east area committee has now said it will pay for replacements and will also pay for benches in the park.

Mr Lygo said: "Kids love to play football and since the goalposts were removed, some people have complained about kids playing in the streets around here.

"They weren't causing any trouble, but it was dangerous for them.

"By putting the goalposts back in, it will be safer for the kids, as they will have somewhere to go that has the proper facilities for them to play.

"Everyone has been so supportive of the petition, the elderly, young parents, even students who live in houses round here - it's been great."

Mr Lygo, who coaches a junior team in Northway, said his son was delighted.

He added: "He loves to play football and loves nothing more than when I get home and we can go and play together.

"It was our local park that we would go to and he was upset when the posts were taken."

Mr Lygo said the benches would also be welcomed by the community.

He said: "Some people had complained they didn't use the park as they had nowhere to sit, so this will make a big difference.

"It will be great for the elderly people living in the neighbourhood, who would like to go and sit in the park on a summer's day, but haven't been able to until now."

Mr McManners said: "I'm delighted that after the petition showed the strength of feeling among residents the north east area committee has been able to fund this."