Dangerous for Dogs

On Friday a number of dog walkers met on Firs Field (see photo) to highlight the poor condition of the perimeter the Field.

On a number of occasions dogs have run out of the field and on to surrounding roads. Cherry and I were contacted by Louise Chambers on behalf of the 'dog walkers' on Firs Field to try to get the perimeter of the Field made secure, as it has been for many years before the work site was constructed.

Louise told us about seven places where there is a need for better security and maintenance:

o The gate on to the Avenue is broken and has been open for some time
o The new gate on to the Firs is not fixed to the fence on either side and in any case this may not be an appropriate gate
o The other gate on to the Firs is also broken and does not shut properly and the fence post next to the gate is broken
o The place where the two large gates were for the old Vet’s car park is not secure
o The fence in the top corner of the Field is so low that it is easy for dogs to jump over
o The temporary barriers at the new entrance to the work site have been removed and dogs have run on to North Road because of this – it is here that we have asked for a new gate to be placed so that school children can walk along inside the Field and be safer than walking on the very narrow pavement
o The double gates to the Library car park are left open all the time, making it easy for dogs to run on to the Firs

The work site is excellently kept, access to the War Memorial is also much appreciated and the play area and equipment is very good, but the rest of the Field has had very little care and attention. The Field needs to be secure to make it accessible for dog walkers, a group who probably use the Field more that anyone.

On ThursdayI sent an urgent email to the Parks Department and to Mary Stacey, the Stone Mines Project Manager asking for urgent action.

Cherry and I feel that it is vital that what is left of field for the public is useable by the whole community throughout the duration of the project. So far action has been taken to restore the temporary gate next to the work site entrance. (Photo by kind permission of the Bath Chronicle)