Residents campaign against fence at park

Warwickshire County Council is planning to fence off part of the play area in Tollgate Road for exclusive use by St James School.

The park’s play equipment will still be available to the public but campaigners say this will not leave enough space.

They are hoping the school will share the entire area with the community at weekends, summer evenings and school holidays.

The issue was discussed at an ‘extraordinary’ town council meeting last week and campaigners will speak at the next meeting on Thursday.

Residents have also been invited to the park on Sunday from 3pm to show what it means to the community.

Cllr John Appleton (Con, Southam) said: “There’s certainly a deficit of open space in Southam and that’s an issue all councillors are trying to address. It seems here that a compromise has been achieved and I’m supportive of that compromise. I’m hoping people will accept it.”