Letter to the editor: I am writing with regards to Bexley Council’s decision to leave parks open all night due to cutbacks in funding.

While I appreciate we all have to save money wherever possible, I am slightly baffled by their means of doing this.

Instead of leaving the gates open for people such as myself, who are unable to walk very far, they have shut one of the double gates in our park (Waring Park in Sidcup), making it pedestrian access only.

I also understand this is the procedure for other parks in the borough too, thus making it impossible for me and others to take our pets and children to our local parks.

I do feel the council has not given due care and thought in making this decision.

Leave both gates open to allow parents with more than one child to continue bringing their children to the parks in this day and age of trying to stop children from sitting in front of TVs or computer screens – surely this is a sensible way of encouraging them to keep fit.

I also have noted the park is used a lot by dissabled people who need vehicular access. There is also a primary school near the park.

Parents have been using the park for years rather than parking on the roads and stopping the flow of traffic along Lansdown Road, which incidently is yellow lined and badly congested already.

I can see major problems arising during the winter months with parents trying to get their children into school.

I have contacted the council, who gave me three reasons why this has been done – none of which seems to stand up to this decision being made.

Firstly, cost. Secondly, to stop travellers from using the park. Thirdly, stopping cars being parked overnight.

I would be interested to know how others in the Sidcup area feel about these decisions being made by our local councillors, presumably on our behalf, without any consultation that I know of being made with the residents.

CAROLE LEACH, Sidcup