SENIOR councillors have admitted the Crystal Palace Park top site fence was ineffective and costly a year after it was erected.

Meeting almost 12 months to the day on which the original decision to put up the 8ft security hoarding was taken in secret, the council’s ruling executive voted to pull it down.

Community groups which fought the measure, designed to deter fly-tippers and travellers, have welcomed the news but there is still scepticism in the area about Bromley Council’s intentions for the park.

Visitors have been prevented from entering, or even seeing inside the historic hill-top site which was once home to Joseph Paxton’s Crystal Palace.

We reported two weeks ago, the council’s position on the controversial fence appeared to be softening.

Council leaders, who insisted the hoarding was only ever a “temporary measure”, now admit it was not the cheapest option.

Former leader Councillor Michael Tickner said: “Many residents will be happy to see the fence come down.” Ward councillor Chris Gaster called the fence a “major source of irritation” adding: “We need to get rid of it once and for all.” Councillor Ernest Noad urged the executive to “re-engage” with groups which have pulled out of the so-called stakeholder process in protest at the lack of progress being made.

Chairman of the Crystal Palace Community Association John Payne said: “We remain concerned at the likely timescale before this decision is fully considered and implemented.

“We’re not prepared to wait until the public inquiry, due later this year, on Bromley’s intentions to remove Metropolitan Open Land protective status from the top of the park.” Councillors voted to remove the fence as soon as a “suitable effective alternative” is found.

This is likely to be a landscaped “bund”, a bank with a ditch, which will block access to vehicles but allow pedestrians.

A report by chief landscape officer Colin Brand states: “This is a relative low risk. It would probably provide a more effective deterrent to travellers — and is a low cost option.”