Dear Editor,
The phrase “health and safety gone mad” is over used in modern society.
However when you hear that a Sure Start centre has banned the use of prams and
cites “health and safety” as the reason, I am not sure that “mad” is a strong
enough word.
I appreciate that health and safety and even red tape does have a role in
modern society but the idea of banning prams from a building designed to support
parents and children is simply crazy.
Those in charge of this centre and Darlington Borough Council must see
sense and ensure that parents are able to bring a pram into a children’s support
centre. This is yet another example of someone in a back office coming up with a
policy that on paper sounds sensible but in reality is completely impractical.
What we need is a common sense approach to health and safety.
As all parents will tell you, leaving expensive prams unattended (in a
designated area or not) outside where it could get wet and cold is a ludicrous
idea. It could make the prams uncomfortable, unusable, damaged or even stolen.
Darlington Council needs to address this absurd situation immediately. Parents
and young children are entitled to use this support centre with ease and they
should not be forced to jump through hoops to make use of it.
Jonathan Arnott MEP
UKIP, North East
