Vandalised Exercise Equipment on Craydene Road in Bexley Poses Danger to Public

June 10, 2026

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Residents in the London Borough of Bexley are facing immediate safety concerns after exercise equipment on Craydene Open Space was vandalised, with soft tarmac dug out in front of weight equipment, creating a very dangerous hazard. The issue on Craydene Road was reported today and remains under investigation by Bexley Council.

Damaged Equipment Creates Immediate Hazard on Craydene Open Space

A resident reported the vandalism on Craydene Open Space, located off Craydene Road, earlier today. According to the report, the exercise equipment itself has been damaged. Crucially, the soft tarmac directly in front of the weight equipment has been dug out. This creates an uneven and unstable surface, making the area unsafe for public use. A resident took the initiative to tie hazard tape around the damaged weight exercise equipment, highlighting the immediate danger. Photos accompany the report.

Children and Local Residents at Risk Near Slade Green Schools

The damaged equipment and dug-out ground pose a significant risk to anyone using the open space, particularly children. Craydene Open Space is a large recreational area in Slade Green, a neighbourhood served by local schools such as St. Paul's (Slade Green) Church of England Primary School and Haberdashers' Slade Green Primary. The presence of such a hazard in a public recreational area frequented by families and young people is a serious concern for the Bexley community. Bus routes 89 and 428 also serve the wider North End area, indicating regular footfall.

Bexley Council Investigating as Repair Timelines Await

The London Borough of Bexley has acknowledged the report, which was submitted via FixMyStreet, and has changed its status to "Investigating." Bexley Council aims to inspect urgent fault reports, such as those involving large trip hazards, within one day and provide a response within five working days. While the council has a budget of over £6.4 million allocated for road and footway repairs in 2025-2026 and plans to invest £30 million in improving roads and pavements in 2026/27, the specific timeline for repairing vandalised park equipment and dug-out soft ground is not immediately clear. The council typically aims to remove graffiti from council-owned property within seven working days, which may offer a comparable timeframe for other vandalism repairs. Permanent repairs by contractors can often take several weeks to complete.

Author

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From Town Hall decisions to resident-led reports, the South London News On Your Doorstep Desk offers comprehensive coverage of the issues that matter to your street. Our editorial staff provide critical updates on local planning, council services, and neighbourhood initiatives, ensuring our readers never miss a change to their local area.

Every report is produced under the rigorous oversight of a leadership team with decades of experience at Yahoo UK, Metro, and the Daily Mail. By bridging the gap between local grievances and council accountability, our desk upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity to provide an accurate, human-led perspective on the stories driving South East London today.