THE on-going saga of the Maesglas play area in Cardigan has taken another twist.

Residents were this week shocked to see workmen from housing association Tai Ceredigion move on to the site to clear away the fencing and seating that remained.

“They arrived last Sunday to prepare to take the whole fenced area away. They have been there since Monday and are flattening the ground where the play equipment was,” said Teresa Harries, of the North Cardigan Action and Support Group.

“The children were really upset with it been taken away in 2013 but they had hope while the fenced area was still there. For the last two days the children have been upset again and think they will never have it reinstated and it’s difficult to explain to young children.

“It would have been nice to have been told about this happening, but there has been no communication from Tai whatsoever for the reason in doing it. A lot of the community have been getting in touch with us wanting to know what is going on.

“The main issue is to have the playground reinstated for the children but yet again we are looking at another summer holiday without the equipment.”

A statement from Tai Ceredigion said: “Tai Ceredigion is in the process of removing the old fencing, in order to permit machinery access to dig out the remaining elements of the former play area, which was closed some time ago due to vandalism and a refusal of Cardigan Town Council to take responsibility for a play area which was being used by the whole community and not just tenants.

“In the short term, the area will be re seeded prior to the winter time, to enable it to be safely used for informal play. In the longer term, there is still an intention to build at least one wheelchair accessible purpose-built bungalow on the site of the current garages, for the benefit of a local family; with the remainder of the land being offered again on lease to the Town Council for the benefit of the whole community in Maes Glas.

“At present the cost of the grass cutting is being paid for by the few remaining Tai Ceredigion tenants on the estate, with right to buy owners and private tenants not contributing anything towards its upkeep.

“In addition, there have been problems with youths climbing over the fence and drinking in the area at night, leaving cans/bottles etc to be cleared up, again at tenants’ expense. Some local owner occupiers have also been continuing to drive and park cars and camper vans illegally onto the play land, causing damage and a danger to any children playing there, despite letters asking them not to do so.

“Bollards to stop this illegal access are now to be installed and the owner occupiers may soon receive a bill for the cost of the bollards, the reinstatement work to the grassed areas, and any illegal entrances they have made around the boundaries.

“Tai Ceredigion’s chief executive is scheduled to meet with Cardigan Town councillors again next month to discuss the long term future of the land and the fair apportionment of the costs of its upkeep.”

Cllr John Adams-Lewis, Mwldan ward representative on the town and county council, confirmed a meeting is due to take place on July 18 and said: “I hope the meeting will be constructive and we can bring an end to the saga.”