PEOPLE living around a park in Newport fear they could face a return of antisocial behaviour if a piece of play equipment is re-installed, a city councillor says.

In April the Argus reported that residents had called for a children’s play area to be moved away from homes to another area of Beechwood Park after complaining of noisy youngsters late at night.

Two items in the play area – a basket swing and a zip slide – were since removed because of mechanical failure.

City councillor for Alway, Ray Truman, said the basket swing has since been reinstalled and that officers have told him the zip slide could come back.

“There was a tremendous amount of anti-social behaviour in the park,” he said.

“The residents had all sorts of problems with noise.”

“What they are concerned about is that if the zipslide goes back, is it going to be the same again,” he said.

He said a public meeting over the issue has been promised by officers in August or September.

Newport Council was asked if re-installing the zip slide was being considered, but said no decision had been made.

It said the two pieces of equipment were installed as part of the refurbishment of the children’s play area which when it opened attracted significant numbers of children and young people.

A spokeswoman said they had received complaints about noise and behaviour and added: “The numbers using it have now stabilised but we will continue to monitor the situation.”