SWINGS at a new Mirfield playground may not be as good as planned because a path needs to be built to reach them.
Kirklees Council has insisted that the extra money needed for the path must come from the budget already set aside for the scheme.
The scheme for Knowl Park had been given the thumbs up by people living in Mirfield.
Clr Martyn Bolt, chairman of the Mirfield Area Committee claimed the path problem was caused by Kirklees - and the council should now foot the bill.
He said: "It is bad enough for the council to admit that it failed to consider safety when planning the new scheme, but to ask Mirfield people to accept a reduction in play provision because of their error is totally unacceptable."
His colleague, Clr Beverley Warby, who has the responsibility for young people's issues in Mirfield, added: "How are young people supposed to feel valued and contribute to local issues if they are treated so badly?"
A spokesman for Kirklees Council Leisure Services said:
"Plans originally circulated by the design and property service have been amended in view of the general demand to site the development as far away from the main road as practicable.
"The linking footpath has increased in length as a result of the new location, with the cost borne by the resources available for the project."
He added: "Tenders have not yet been received for the project, but it is hoped the scheme originally planned will not be adversely affected by the increased cost of the footpath."
