Council crackdown to ensure social distancing rules are followed

Patrols at parks are being ramped up while car parks at green spaces are being shut to stop people ignoring social distancing measures ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Ealing Council has announced car parks at Gunnersbury Park, Ealing Central Sports Ground, Pitshanger Park and Northala Fields among others will be closed so that only local people can continue to exercise at the outdoor spaces.

Six parking officers are also being drafted in to help with the patrols of the borough’s 146 parks.

Residents are being warned not to gather in groups, sunbathe, have picnics or barbecues despite the sunny weather, and continue to stick to the social distancing guidelines.

The crackdown comes after some park users have been ignoring the rules, according to council leader Julian Bell.

The civic chief also said on Sunday, April 5, that 400 warnings had been given out by police on Saturday across the borough.

On further measures ahead of the bank holiday, Cllr Bell said: “It is vitally important that everyone follows these rules and ensure they do their part to stop the spread of Covid-19.

“It may seem tempting to head to your local park in the coming days, but I would ask you to think and not do that unless you really, really need to.

“Ealing has already got one of the highest infection rates for Covid-19. We need to protect our NHS so that it can look after the most vulnerable.

“I would ask you to use your own gardens if you have them and try to stay at home but, if you feel you need to go out, then follow the social distancing guidelines, act responsibly and don’t do anything that would cause this virus to spread.

“I know that for some the borough’s parks are the only ‘gardens’ they have and I want them to be able to use these spaces safely. And I would like to thank those that have been observing the social distancing rules. But the behaviour of some park users, means we are having to close the car parks that serve parks and open spaces in the borough.

He added: “Short-term sacrifices will result in long term gains – so please, observe social distancing, use our open spaces wisely, and let’s stay safe, stay home and save lives.”

So far 533 people in Ealing have been confirmed to have coronavirus.

Anahita Hossein-Pour - Local Democracy Reporter

April 9, 2020