The local council was forced to take action after locals complained about the condition of a playground full of rusted equipment and elderly residents complained that it looked like “Chernobyl”.

The playground, which runs along Weston Shore Promenade in Southampton, has been heavily criticized over the years as local residents voiced their complaints online, calling it a “disgrace”, with one even saying it was there because it looked “remarkably similar” to HBO’s Chernobyl He questioned whether they were filming or not.

The abandoned playground was in such poor condition that all that remained was a rusted climbing frame, a small seesaw and an unchained swing set.

Locals blamed the local Works Council for allowing the playground to become so “worn out” when “nothing remained” except “an old sand pit”.

Southampton City Council has now bowed to public pressure and removed the playground but left bare the only accessible beach areas in the Hampshire city.

The playground was located on Weston Shore, the only remaining beach in the city, which locals described as “an eyesore”.

It was finally removed by the municipality after being left in disrepair for two years, creating an unsightly sight among the city’s only remaining beaches.

“I believe the current depreciation is municipal policy,” said local resident Graham Westerling, who has lived in the area with his family since the 1920s and frequently used the playground both as a child and with his children. he said about the former state of the old park.

“They have built a new playground across the road and they see the old playground on the waterfront as a waste.

“The park has been changed many times since I first went there in the late 40s.”

Westerling, who formerly worked as a tool maker and flying vehicle designer and is now retired, added how the area has gotten worse over time.

“The shore has been our playground this whole time,” said the retired toolmaker and flying vehicle designer.

“What’s left of the park is in tatters, but the area is still well used. I’ll know we’re in trouble when the ice cream van pulls up.”

Julie Bishop, a local resident and retired contract manager, also enjoyed the playground where she took her young grandson.

Bishop, 67, recently visited the area of ​​the playground that he once called “not a park anymore.”

“There’s nothing left here but an old, old sand pit,” he said.

“It used to be like that but they took everything away, just an area by the sea. There’s nothing here, it’s a bit of an eye sore,” Bishop added.

The council recently said the park was only closed for repairs to equipment.

Weston resident Robert Stead wrote to the local newspaper about the playground, saying: “As a resident of Weston Manor, I know how much residents value our shores.

“Clearly this is something that is not shared by Southampton council, who are all too happy to neglect this in favor of their other pet projects in the city.”

Council leader Lorna Fielker said a new playground was due to be built nearby and “the playground was closed because the old equipment was no longer safe and could not be repaired”.

He added: “The council has already held a public consultation on a proposal for a new and exciting playground close to the site adjacent to Weston Parade, we are finalizing plans to build this and look forward to announcing the installation date in the new year.”