NORTH Somerset Council has been branded 'a complete letdown' after it took over 16 months to start work on a small play area in Weston. Neighbourhood Watch volunteers, who are behind the project, have now enlisted the help of Weston Town Council to try to

NORTH Somerset Council has been branded 'a complete letdown' after it took over 16 months to start work on a small play area in Weston.Neighbourhood Watch volunteers, who are behind the project, have now enlisted the help of Weston Town Council to try to get some action.The community group has been trying to get a football goal and play equipment built on the grass area bordered by Shrubbery Walk and Shrubbery Road since January 2005.At the town council's amenities meeting, volunteer Bridie Collier said: "At the end of 2004 we became aware there was a problem in the park so we put together plans for the improvements."North Somerset Council said there was money we could use from the Highbury Hotel development and we had several meetings to agree everything."Nothing ever happened, despite promises it would, so we are hoping the town council can assist us instead."Town councillor Andrew Horler said: "I am disappointed a group as proactive and resourceful as the Shrubbery Neighbourhood Watch has found it exceptionally difficult to achieve anything, especially since it has been told by officers something was being done." It has been going on too long and bad feelings are growing towards North Somerset."Cllr Mike Bell said: "North Somerset Council has been a complete letdown to these people. Its dealings with this issue have been rubbish from start to finish. Too many promises have been made and not kept. "The right course of action is to make North Somerset hand over the cash and let the town council get on with it."Councillors agreed to find out from North Somerset what had happened to the money and potentially take over the project.A North Somerset spokesman said: "We acknowledge the process has taken longer than we would have liked."A planning application is due to be submitted in the next week or so for a fenced enclosure with a pair of swings and other items of play equipment. Benches are also on order. We hope to have it all installed by the autumn.