Cuts force number of Walsall park rangers to be halved
The number of park rangers in Walsall will be more than halved under new cost-cutting plans. They will fall from 23 to 10 from next April.
The plans have prompted fears about increased anti-social behaviour in parks and nature reserves.
About £400,000 is due to be cut from the Street Pride department's budget.
The council today insisted that there will still be a strong presence in the borough's parks, and environmental staff will be trained in enforcement action currently undertaken by the rangers.
A report to the council's cabinet next week states: "It will put more people on more parks on a continuous basis Monday to Friday.
"A reduced resource over the weekends will maintain some visual presence."
Campaigners against the plans have established Save Walsall's Green Spaces and Countryside Services.
Linda Mason, from the group, said: "If these figures are correct, I am flabbergasted. I can't see how a park ranger service can be operated."
Vandals, arsonists and fly-tippers have targeted borough parks just under 350 times in 12 months.
The council needs to save £13million overall in the next financial year.
Other cost-cutting measures include incresing the cost of school meals.
