OUTDOOR recreational equipment which caters to the needs of all children will be introduced in West Dunbartonshire play parks.

It comes after a mum from Clydebank, whose 11-month old son has additional support needs (ASN), hit out at the local authority for the lack of equipment available for children with learning disabilities.

Claire McCann, who launched a petition for better accessibility to these play parks, was thanked by local councillors at their most recent meeting for raising the issue.

A motion presented by council leader Jonathon McColl asked members to do more to develop and include accessible and appropriate equipment for children across the council area.

Councillor McColl said: “Given the ongoing pandemic it is more important than ever that we try to provide access to outdoor spaces to everyone regardless of ability.

“This may be detrimental to some individuals’ mental health and their social life.

“I only recently saw the campaign started by Claire McCann. I think this is a very important thing for us to do, especially when children can’t socialise with each other within households.

“I think it is important that we make as much provision as we can to allow kids to meet up outdoors safely. This should not be a box-ticking exercise.

“There is a real opportunity to create outdoor spaces for people with a range of abilities, including people who might benefit from sensory enhancing equipment.”

Council officers will also be asked to work in partnership with disabled groups in West Dunbartonshire to draw up a draft engagement plan and enhance the process.

Conservative councillor Sally Page said: “I am fully behind this initiative. I think it is great and will have much benefit throughout West Dunbartonshire.

“There are many sources of funding especially for children’s play parks and I think maybe we could as a council look at the underspend that we’ve got in our participatory budgeting fund, and maybe some of that money could be put towards this.”

All existing play parks will be surveyed, and a report brought back to the appropriate committee.