Footy club says new fence is a 'necessity' to keep young safe

A FENCE that has been erected around the Thorntree Park playing fields and pavilion has been described as a "necessity" to ensure the safety of kids playing football.

- By DANIEL HODGSON

Mud ramps on the paying field

Disgruntled residents contacted the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) to voice their dismay at the construction of the fence, which surrounds the playing fields and pavilion at Thorntree Park.

The fence, which was put in place in April, meant that locals were no longer able to walk their dogs across the football pitch or reach Spencer Beck, which is at the far end of the field.

It seems that a middle ground has now been found, which will see a gate installed to allow residents access to the fields.

While residents have outlined their unhappiness, Cargo Fleet Football Club - also known as Cargo Fleet Juniors - who have used the field under a lease agreement with Middlesbrough Council since 2012, have defended the need for a fence.

The club has also provided evidence of a subject access request, in which the council said that there is not a registered public right of way across the playing fields.

The council confirmed that they have been working with the tenant, Cargo Fleet FC, to design and source an appropriate gate, which the council hopes will be installed “soon”

A spokesperson for the club confirmed plans for a gate that should enable wheelchair access, and shared some images with the LDRS of what the 150+ kids who play on the fields at Thorntree Park have had to "endure" over the last 13 years, highlighting antisocial behaviour every week.

The spokesperson explained some of the more specific issues that had resulted in the fence being erected, including: "Motorbikes, dog fouling, people not walking their dogs on leads and subsequently children being bitten whilst playing football, needles on the playing field putting children at significant risk, fires being set in the trees and wooded area on the park, and damage to the building and surrounding areas."