AN OTLEY park has been left to become a “dangerous and litter-strewn” zone where children fear to go.

That is the claim being made by town councillor Nigel Francis (Ind, Danefield) over the state of Wellcroft Park.

Cllr Francis, who chairs Wellcroft Action Group, has blamed ward councillors and Leeds City Council for not addressing the problems.

The group was actually working with city councillors last year on proposals to revamp the site and its playground, with the funding for the work to come from Section 106 – housing developer – money.

But while long-term improvements are still in the pipeline, Cllr Francis is angry that “virtually nothing” has been done to tackle more pressing causes for concern.

He said: “I was very hopeful that although the park was, in the long-run, to be upgraded some simple maintenance would still be carried out and that the issues I had brought up would be taken care of.

“I felt that the fence, for example, should be repaired as soon as possible to stop further vandalism and prevent dogs from getting into the children’s play area.

“And that the hawthorn tree, which was on the path and could collapse at any time as it appeared to only be held up by a stone, would be dealt with.

“Not only have these two issues not been taken care of but the park has been allowed to deteriorate to such a level that a number of ward residents have contacted me regarding the state it is now in, and asking me to help. They are refusing to use the park as it dirty, dogs are roaming free, and they are afraid someone will get hurt.”

Ward Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon), however, insists that the site is still set for a refurbishment.

He said: “I have continued to work with the community to ensure that Wellcroft park gets renovated, indeed it was me that secured the £60,000 Section 106 money and £3,000 from the town council for the park, so I’ll take no advice or lessons from Cllr Francis. Cllr Francis may be chairman of the action group but he is in name only.

“He has done nothing to support the group. Everyone knows Nigel does a great job for his personal causes and charities, but in our four years as fellow Danefield town councillors he has done nothing for our fellow Danefield residents. I assume this is a desperate attempt in the run-up to the town council elections to make it look like he does something.”