PETER Cuming noted that Camden Council proposes to remove an existing wooden play structure on Talacre Town Green and replace it with a series of outdoor gym equipment (Gym is not needed here, Letters, February 23).

Reported reasons given for this change include that the present installation is deemed have deteriorated to such a point as to be unsafe and that it is intrinsically unsafe.

The proposed change is unreasonable.

• The envisaged equipment simply isn’t in keeping with Talacre Town Green: it is visually intrusive.
• Gym equipment is available nearby in the sports centre.
• Providing, installing and maintaining the equipment will incur a considerable and avoidable cost for Camden at a time when funds are reportedly scarce: there are better and non-contentious ways that public money could be spent.
• It is noticeable that the outdoor gym equipment installed in Cantelowes Gardens is quite lightly used.

Is there any reason to believe that a similar installation at Talacre would be more popular?

Before it was fenced off the existing structure was very popular as can be seen from the images on Talacre website.

If there is an economic or safety imperative to abandon the present installation then why not designate the space as a picnic area?

TIM STOCKTON
Prince of Wales Road, NW5-