Broken exercise feature in Ipswich's Christchurch Park fixed

Peter Wright first called for the restoration of the equipment, which is on the footpath near the bridleway and Henley Road entrance, in this newspaper in December last year.

Ipswich Borough Council said at the time that its parks team expected to hear of the progress of the broken part within one week.

But three months later the feature had yet to be fixed, which Mr Wright described as "disappointing".

The feature was still not fixed in March. (Image: Peter Wright)

Finally, after five months of waiting, the equipment has been restored.

Mr Wright said: "It looks a lot better. When it was broken, it looked so rundown, but there is so much that is rundown in Ipswich.

"The park is such a gorgeous asset to the town and it's horrible to think of. I'm glad that bit looks better."

He had spotted the feature during his daily walks through Christchurch Park, where there are "half a dozen or so interesting features along that path".

The newly-fixed feature. (Image: Peter Wright)

In March, a spokesperson from Ipswich Borough Council said that the parks team contacted the original manufacturer of this piece of fitness equipment at the end of 2023, to install a replacement for the broken part.

However, it wasn’t possible to source from the original manufacturer and so the council had to look for an alternative supplier and was awaiting delivery for the replacement part.

Resident Peter Wright first reported the issue to this paper in December. (Image: Peter Wright)

The council added that the part was made from steel and would be much more durable.

According to the council, the equipment had not been out of long term use but "had some issues meaning it has been out of use for periods of time previously".

"There are other pieces of outdoor fitness equipment available to use at the area near the ARK and the Upper Fonnereau Road gate," a spokesperson said in December.