A VANDAL-hit playing field could become a parking area, at a cost of £90,000.

The borough council is investigating whether to turn part of Randle Meadow into an area for picking up and dropping off children for school.

But the scheme, which compliments plans for a path from Randle Meadow to the nearby Woodlands infant and junior schools, raises crime and dis-order concerns.

The council, working with other partners, is looking at getting pupils to and from both Woodlands schools safely under its Safer Routes to School initiative.

A report from the highways and transportation local joint committee, which involves both the borough and the county councils, says: 'The area of land off Randle Meadow which abuts the junior school playing field is available for children to play on.

'However, the play equipment there has been dismantled over the years as it has become beyond economical repair.

'Complaints have been received from residents about nuisance at night, so this area is now gated. It is opened and closed by local residents, and not used at night.

'The borough council's leisure department has a scheme of improvements here. However, due to a lack of funds, no work has yet been carried out.'

The report adds: 'If this playing field is to be used as an area for picking up and dropping off children for schools, it would have to be converted into a car park.

'But it would not necessarily be lined with parking bays.

'There is a suggestion it could also be used for parking for the rest of the day and in the school holidays.

'The estimated cost of converting the field into a parking area is £90,000. At present, there is no funding available for this scheme.'

The report says that support for a linked path from Randle Meadow to the rear of the junior school has already been endorsed by the committee.

And it adds: 'However, the construction of a footpath in the nearby wooded area to the rear of the primary school raises concerns regarding crime and dis-order issues.

'There are also potential maintenance issues if the path is to be lit.

'The playground equipment to the rear of Randle Meadow was removed due to vandalism, and it is feared that any lighting could also be vandalised.

'The densely-wooded area here could provide a screen where vandalism could take place.

'This would be unseen by the public as it is remote from the rest of the road and footway network.

'It may also be difficult to provide any lighting at all in this densely-wooded area, due to the excessive leaf canopy of the trees.

'Tree felling is to be discussed with the borough council's planning department.'

Public consultation will now be carried out on the proposals, before they are reconsidered and decided on by the committee at a future date.