SWSN Council officers have removed a fun tunnel

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A demolition crew moved onto the play area unannounced on yesterday morning to destroy a tunnel that had been enjoyed for years, but has now been deemed too dangerous. Tandridge District Council has confirmed the tunnel was "condemned" and had been removed to "protect" local children following a safety inspection. A section of the Mint Walk Recreation Ground in Warlingham, Surrey, has been shut off, denying the village's kids a space to play and exercise during the end of the school holidays. A feature of the play site was a concrete tunnel, tall enough for a toddler to stand up in.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, playgrounds must abide by Health and Safety Act etc 1974 and British Standards to ensure the safety of children on play equipment around the country. A Spokesperson for Tandridge District Council said: "The council has removed the tunnel equipment in the playground at Mint Walk recreation ground in Warlingham to protect local children. "Following a safety inspection the equipment was condemned and as a result the council took action to remove it. "As a result an area of the park is currently cordoned off while the removal takes place, but this is not expected to take more than two days and it is anticipated the park will be open as normal at the weekend. "It is the only piece of equipment that has been removed from the playground and plans are currently being finalised to put a new piece of equipment in its place and the Council will share an update about this soon.

SWNS A demolition crew moved onto the play area unannounced on yesterday morning

There is no way anybody could get stuck in that tunnel Father-of-two Mark Spearing

"We apologise for any inconvenience the removal will cause but the Council's first priority is to ensure the safety of its residents." Locals reacted angrily to the removal of the fun tunnel by the council - which one dubbed "playground blitzkrieg." Father-of-two Mark Spearing, 37, is furious with the council's lack of consultation and fears the fun tunnel will never be replaced. The Airfield Engineer at Gatwick Airport said: "I literally can't believe this, this is the best play park in the area and my kids love it. "My six-year-old son has learning difficulties and is accident prone, and he has never hurt himself. "The tunnel was integral to the structure of the park, it formed a ramp above it for bikes and there were slides and rocks the kids would play on.

SWNS Tandridge District Council have confirmed the tunnel was 'condemned'

SWNS The main feature of the play site was a concrete tunnel, tall enough for a toddler to stand up in

"There is no way anybody could get stuck in that tunnel - they would have to be absolutely massive. "You have to wonder if someone has had an accident as there was no consultation and they just rolled in and ripped half the park out, it's only around ten years old so it's not ancient. "It's the main park that everyone goes to, if they don't replace the tunnel it will be a great loss. "We're getting fed up with the council, taxes go up and up but facilities get worse." Other outraged parents took to local Facebook groups to vent their anger at the council's "crazy" decision. Carolyn Jones said: "Gutted - we saw the diggers come past at 8am and went to investigate. "Our little boy loved zooming down the ramp on his bike, I only hope they replace it with other play equipment and don't just leave it, it's a lovely little park."