Bitterne Park Primary says that the aparent closure to the public of the fenced area of Riverside Park behind the school during at least part of the Easter holidays was an ‘oversight’.

Readers may recall that the path around the green space was diverted so the school could incorporate the area into its grounds for pupils’ use.

This followed years of consultations and discussions starting around 2007, and even a public inquiry in 2017, after which the school said the space would be available for private bookings, and also open to the public during the three main school holidays.

The school told bitternepark.info on Friday (April 25) that the locking of the fenced off area was “an oversight and will be addressed”.

Paul Jenks, chair of the voluntary Friends of Riverside Park group, commented: “Public access to that section of the park during school holidays was a clear commitment made by the school when the park was fenced off.  It is disappointing that they appear rather ‘forgetful’ about that commitment.”

Photo taken on Sunday, April 20, with the gate apparenty padlocked