Important announcement

We will be carrying out essential maintenance on our payment system on Thursday, 21 May. During this time, telephone payments and counter payments (Chip and Pin) at our Community Hubs will be unavailable.

Customers can still pay for services and bills online or via our 24-hour Touchtone payment service on 0300 123 4524.

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Technical Notes 2025, Issue 179 - Merkland Play Area – Recent Safety Inspection

  • Report by:

    Ann Davie, Chief Executive

  • TN Number:

    179-25

  • Subject:

    Merkland Play Area – Recent Safety Inspection

  • Responsible Officer:

    Stephen Egan, Team Leader - Streetscene Technical Support

  • Publication:

    This Technical Note will be published on the Council’s website following circulation to Members. Its contents may be disclosed or shared outwith the Council.

  • This Technical Note has been written to update Elected Members on the current situation at the play area located in Merkland Recreation facility in Kirkintilloch

  • The Play Area has been the subject of regular and routine vandalism over the past 3 years and is currently closed for any access with the use of fencing panels. Regrettably these are also being vandalised and consequently further damage is occurring to the play area

  • An independent Safety Inspection was undertaken during September 2025 and the recommendation from the ROSPA engineer is to completely remove the facility. Arrangements therefore will be made to engage a suitable contractor and remove all fencing and equipment from site in the short term

  • In terms of a new facility or potential upgrading of other adjacent play areas, this will be the subject of local consultation – initially via the Local Housing providers and thereafter with our stakeholders

  • Timescales around this have still to be determined and will be influenced by the initial feedback from the Housing Associations – thereafter wider engagement will be undertaken to ensure the community are fully involved in any investment decisions regarding new or existing play facilities.