Local councils have been told by the authorities to close down six playgrounds or replace some of their equipment after they were found to be an in ‘awful’ state, Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said said this morning.

He said that the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority – which incorporates the Standards Authority – last April started annual inspections of playgrounds around Malta and Gozo.

The six playgrounds in need of immediate action were in Mtarfa, Luqa, two in St Paul’s Bay, Marsalforn and Paola. The defects related to the state and safety standards of equipment, impact safety area and lack of signage.

Dr Said explained that the playgrounds are the responsibility of local councils, who carry out daily inspections. The Authority carries out annual inspections and sends its recommendations to the councils.

He made his comments at the opening of a training course which the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is holding for the Authority’s playground inspectors. The representatives of local councils will also be involved.

Dr Said stressed that playgrounds needed to be safe and of a high standard.

There are 155 playgrounds run by local councils, of which 52 have been inspected so far.

Francis Farrugia, chairman of the Authority, said that in the coming months the Authority would also be inspecting childcare centres and homes for the elderly.

PAOLA COUNCIL STATEMENT

In a statement, Paola local council said it never received any reports or instructions from the authorities about closing any playground in its locality.

The council said it had contacted the Authority which said the inspections were not concluded yet and the report was not finalised.

The council said that should it receive any report, it would take immediate action to ensure that all playgrounds were equipped with the necessary safety equipment.