SWINGS are being replaced at children’s play parks as part of a council maintenance programme.

David Dowle and his five grandchildren are regular visitors to the play parks dotted across Highwoods in Colchester.

At three of the parks - off Sioux Close, Northfield Gardens and Gavin Way - Mr Dowle has noticed the swings have gone missing although the chains have been left hanging to the structures.

“I am not sure what is happening to them,” he said.

“They can’t be worth a lot so I assume they’re not being stolen. It could be vandalism.

“It is really sad because I do think these facilities are important.

“Parents use these play parks to meet other parents and without them we lose part of the community.”

Mr Dowle said Colchester Council, which manages the parks, has been too slow to replace the missing swings.

“I feel it is important the swings are replaced so children will not be disappointed,” he said.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said the swings were set to be replaced as part of a maintenance programme.

He said: “We recognise the importance of children’s play areas which is why we have recently embarked on a major review and enhanced maintenance programme.

“We took the decision to undertake this work at a quieter time of the year, to minimise disruption as much as possible, and plan to reinstate all of the swings as soon as essential works have been completed.”