Carlisle Park - Search for New Keeper

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 6th Oct 2003

Responding to a growing number of complaints from local residents about the deterioration in Hampton's Carlisle Park following the departure to alternative accommodation of the resident park keeper, local MP Vincent Cable raised their concerns with Richmond Council. He has now received

the following undertakings from the Parks Manager:

a. The Council are seeking a suitable tenant for the vacant flat who would be willing to move in and keep an eye on the park out of normal working hours. The Parks Manager says she is working with the Council's Legal Services section to try and find a way to install a suitable tenant as soon as possible.

b. The nursery school has been given a temporary key to the park until the matter is resolved.

c. The Council say they have been liaising with the local police in relation to anti social behaviour and have asked the Parks Patrol officers to visit the park as frequently as possible.

Dr Cable commented: "I am pleased that the Council are acknowledging the very genuine worries about what has been happening in Carlisle Park recently. It is however vitally important that a tenant be found for the vacant flat as soon as possible if the previously high standards in the

park are to be maintained."