A VANDALISED park pathway in Owlsmoor has led to complaints to the council over the site being "neglected."

Joanna Lavender, resident local to Owlsmoor, first spotted the damage to the railway sleepers used to outline the pathway at The Greenway, beside Branksome Hill Road, in February 2020.

She said: "A large number of railway sleepers were pulled to the ground and others loosened.

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"They were semi-rotten and easy to break off. The council was notified and did nothing.

"They did not even tidy the fallen railway sleepers into a heap or remove them for safety. I do not think they even inspected the site."

Ms Lavender told The News that nails were poking up from the sleepers, so she informed the Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) who then erected wind barriers to section the site off from pedestrians.

She added: "These keep blowing over and have been permanently on the ground for around six weeks.

"It is depressing to see this site being neglected in this way. I walk past it every day and so do many people, and it is discouraging to see such a mess, when it used to be pretty.

"All the council needed to do was appoint two local workmen to repair and renew where necessary the railway sleepers. How much longer must we wait?"

Pic: Joanna Lavender.

Pic: Joanna Lavender.

Stephen Chown, Head of Natural Estates at Bracknell Forest Council said: “We are aware a concern has been raised about The Greenway, which is managed by our parks and countryside rangers.

"A project is underway to rejuvenate the decaying planters and return them to solid structures, which can hold an array of flowering species in future.

"This restoration will benefit pollinator species such as bees and butterflies and supports the wider enhancements planned on the site to establish new wildflower areas later in the spring.

"This will give a colourful and fragrant flowering in the heart of Owlsmoor.

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“The council takes the safety of the project seriously and our rangers have attended the site today to locate and address any issues. They will continue to routinely monitor the site.

"The project aims to re-use existing materials wherever possible, to ensure it remains sustainable and cost-effective. For this reason, some of the timber was left on site ahead of future repairs.”