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EU give swings the push ("Balmy" regulations on playgrounds)
UK Sun ^
| June 7, 2003
| JOHN COLES
Posted on 06/07/2003 12:55:35 PM PDT by veronica
A VILLAGE had to get rid of its playground swings because Euro rules say they are too TALL.
The three swings were erected more than 25 years ago. Kids playing on them have suffered nothing worse than a grazed knee ever since.
But now Brussels bureaucrats have introduced a new maximum height order for swings throughout the UK.
The EU edict, European Standard BS EN 11 76, states the height of childrens swings must be no more than three metres (9ft 10ins).
The set at the park in Great Somerford, Wilts, are 60cm (2ft) over the limit.
The directive also includes a mind-boggling set of other rules including the distance from the seats to the frame and to the ground.
The Great Somerford swings were condemned during a routine inspection by playground equipment firm Wicksteed Leisure last month.
Now the seats have been removed to stop kids using the swings and a notice has gone up explaining why.
It has left Sarah Beeby, 11, Hannah Lonford-Brown, ten, and Luke Whitmarsh and Jacob Botterill, both five, bitterly disappointed.
Little Luke said: Its very sad. The parks not exciting any more.
The EU standard is NOT law, but failing to comply could leave the parish council open to legal action if a child were injured.
The council is trying to raise £4,000 to get new swings. It cant simply raise the ground around the exisiting frames because steps arent allowed in playgrounds either.
Chairman Toby Sturgis said: These are barmy regulations.
![](http://images.thesun.co.uk/picture/0,,2003030248,00.gif)
TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: euconstitution; nannystate; uk
1
posted on
06/07/2003 12:55:35 PM PDT
by
veronica
To: veronica
England isnt part of EU, so why is this happening?
2
posted on
06/07/2003 12:58:15 PM PDT
by
Husker24
To: veronica
The EU just keeps regulating itself into a deep black hole. I love it. Come on, Brussels, let's have more regs! More!
3
posted on
06/07/2003 12:58:30 PM PDT
by
Bonaparte
To: veronica
The council is trying to raise £4,000 to get new swings. brilliant.
pipe cutter and a couple bags of sacrete.
heck, I'll do it for £2,000.
well, if I can bring my Glock.
4
posted on
06/07/2003 1:01:24 PM PDT
by
glock rocks
(shoot fast. shoot straight. shoot safe. practice. carry. molon labe)
To: Husker24
Britain joined the EU 30 years ago. They just haven't adopted the euro and have balked on a few other things. It would be a shame to see them go under with the rest of the fools on the continent, but it looks like they probably will.
5
posted on
06/07/2003 1:02:06 PM PDT
by
Bonaparte
To: glock rocks
The whole thing is a joke. Safety? Some big kid pushes some little kid too high on that shorter chain and he could go over the top. Whoops, broken neck.
6
posted on
06/07/2003 1:07:19 PM PDT
by
Bonaparte
To: MadIvan; Happygal; hellinahandcart
Methinks you and Tony need to have a little chat...
7
posted on
06/07/2003 1:09:15 PM PDT
by
sauropod
(Its ok to laugh during sex... Just don't point!)
To: Husker24
Au contraire, sir, England is indeed a member of EU. England is not (yet, and ideally never) a member of EMU, European Monetary Union, a.k.a. the Euro.
8
posted on
06/07/2003 2:52:44 PM PDT
by
SAJ
To: veronica
Next thing you know, the English populace won't be able to use force to defend themselves.
Oh wait...
9
posted on
06/07/2003 3:26:30 PM PDT
by
MonroeDNA
(Unions and Marxists say, " Workers of the world unite!")
To: veronica
How crushing to the human spirit it must be to have even the most trivial and innocuos aspects of daily life subjected to harsh centralized control.
10
posted on
06/07/2003 5:57:32 PM PDT
by
BenLurkin
(Socialism is slavery.)
To: BenLurkin
How many Brits grew up with nannies? Not enough for a substantial "Reaction Formation" to throw the rascals out.
11
posted on
06/07/2003 7:46:48 PM PDT
by
donmeaker
(Time is Relative, at least in my family.)
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