TOWN Gardens and Queens Park may be locked if people don’t follow government advice and keep their distance from each other.
South Swindon Parish Council, which leases the formal parks from the council, is already closing more than a dozen children’s play areas across the town centre, Old Town, Parks, Lawns and Walcot over concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
And parish chairman Chris Watts warned that the council may be forced to lock the gates to its two biggest parks and gardens after people flocked to green spaces over the weekend in the face of the government’s social distancing advice.
Town Gardens Picture: RICK SUMMER
He stressed it would only be a last resort. “The Town Gardens and Queens Park, they’re so important for people’s health and wellbeing during these times.
“You have to not congregate in these places. You have to make sure you’re keeping to your family group, keep social distancing.
“If we start hearing reports that people are congregating in Town Gardens and Queens Park we will have no choice but to close those too.”
Central Swindon North Parish Council took to social media to urge families not to visit its playgrounds. They said: “We’ve had reports of busy children’s play areas over the weekend. Please do not visit our Play Areas or use the equipment.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article