A Pinner resident has kickstarted a petition calling on Harrow Council to backpedal on plans to introduce fees for using tennis courts across the borough.
Hugh Brown, who has lived in Pinner all his life, has played at the tennis court in Pinner Village Gardens since he was a child and is determined to keep them free for all.
The proposal is part of the council’s plans to renovate the courts using a grant from the Department for Digital, Community, Media and Sport and the Lawn Tennis Association.
However, terms of the grant mean Harrow Council must set aside a ‘sinking fund’ of £1,200 per court per year – £44,000 per year in total – and users would be charged to play in order to pay for the maintenance of the courts.
Speaking to PinnerNews, Hugh said: “I used to play tennis there and I take my kids there now. It’s something that is very close to my heart.
“I’ve been really blown away with the response [to the petition]. These days, there are so many petitions flying round; for this one to get that traction has been fantastic.”
Hugh continued to add that it is unfair to ask residents to fund the courts alongside the current cost-of-living crisis.
He said: “Public parks are places you go and enjoy; you shouldn’t be charged to use them. We pay our council tax so they should be maintained.
“The fee will become a barrier to using the court; people won’t be able to afford it and it will reduce the amount of people using the court.”
Harrow Council has been contacted for comment.
To sign the petition, which at the time of writing has nearly 2,200 signatures, visit www.change.org/p/keep-harrow-s-parks-free-to-use
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