A sandpit at Harborough’s Welland Park – part of the new £300,000 play area at the site – has been fenced off since October 14 and Health Protection Agency officials have been informed.

Harborough District Council, which owns and maintains the park, says it acted quickly to cordon off the area and has followed standard procedures.

It is unclear how many rats were initially spotted but a dead rat (pictured) was clearly visible just feet away from the sandpit on Monday, as snapped by the Mail’s photographer.

Concerns have also been raised over why it took the council two weeks to disclose the nature of the incident to the public.

A sign put up at the park reads: ‘Notice: This sandpit is closed for urgent maintenance’ but includes no mention of rats or public health issues.

Phil Knowles, who has campaigned against the use of woodbark at the play area, said: “With anything like this, the public needs to know very, very quickly. If the council has known for two weeks they should have made that information public.”

A petition has been signed by more than 400 people backing calls to ditch the use of woodbark at the site which they say can hide sharp objects or conceal animal mess.

Mr Knowles is calling on the council to hold a review into the facilities.

A spokesman for the council told the Mail yesterday: “The public would only be formally notified if it was felt there was a risk to public health.

“In this instance, as the area was sealed off immediately, after consultation with the Health Protection Agency, it was felt the problem could be dealt with by the council, as per any other rat sighting.”

Pest control measures have been taken at the sandpit with bait laid.

Decking near the sandpit is being sealed off with concrete to stop it being used by vermin.

The council spokesman added: “Although the risk of contamination is extremely unlikely, Health Protection Agency guidelines state that toxic organisms – which can be carried by some rats – can live in soil for 24 days, so, as a precaution, the sandpit will remain closed for at least this period (after pest control measures), to ensure there is no risk to the public.”

Council officers are now said to be monitoring the area daily.

People are being warned not to touch dead rats and to report rat sightings to the council by phoning 01858 828282.



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