Maida Vale Labour Councillors have called on Westminster Council to rethink plans to replace much used set of monkey bars in Paddington Recreation Ground with a large “smart activator” digital screen. The new screen would be used to run pre-recorded exercise classes.

Councillor Geoff Barraclough said:

“People go to Paddington Rec to get themselves and their children away from screens. The monkey bars and the surrounding area is well used by residents as well as personal trainers running small classes. There’s no need for digital entertainment here.”

Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis said:

“My daughter and her friends love these monkey bars. I don’t see why this digital screen needs to take their place. Let’s put it in a different part of the park and see whether it actually helps people exercise before we tear down well-loved equipment we know works.”