A NEW fence is to be installed at Abbey Meadow in Abingdon to keep children safe and reduce the problem of geese causing havoc for park users.

Vale of White Horse District Council says the park area next to the Thames in is very popular with families but there is currently no barrier to stop children using the splash park from running off and possibly falling into the river.

To reduce the risk of children accessing the riverbank unsupervised, the council will install a 1.2m high fence a few metres away from the water’s edge.

The measure is also expected to help deter geese from getting into the splash park area.

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In the past, parents have complained after finding the splash pad covered in goose faeces and algae.

 While the fence is unlikely to stop the geese completely, the council said it could reduce the problem as they will need to fly into the contained area, instead of having an easy route into the site.

The council contracts a company to clean the splash pad play area every day and has urged the public to not feed the geese because it attracts them to the park. 

The new fence will be installed away from the river to allow walkers access along the river bank up to the Abbey Meadow boundary.

The project is the latest in a series of improvements carried out at Abbey Meadow to help encourage people to visit the area.

Cllr Andrew Crawford, cabinet member for finance and corporate assets, said: “As a district council it’s important that we do what we can to improve our public facilities, especially if there are safety concerns. 

"Park users told us that they wanted to see a new fence to help keep children safe by the river, so I’ve very pleased that we will shortly have this in place.”

Cllr Helen Pighills, cabinet member for healthy communities and ward member for Abingdon Abbey Northcourt, said: “Geese have been causing havoc in Abbey Meadow for quite a while now and the issue is putting families off visiting the area. 

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"Every time they enter the site, the geese leave an incredible mess and cause damage which costs us additional money to clean up and repair.  Hopefully the new fence will result in a lot less visits from our feathered friends.”  

Cllr Cheryl Briggs, ward member for Abingdon Abbey Northcourt, said: “I’m really pleased that there will be a new fence to help prevent young children potentially getting into problems around the riverbank. 

"I’m sure this new addition to Abbey Meadow will be welcomed by visitors to the area.”

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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