September 1, 1978

THE ornamental pond at Church Hill shopping centre has been criticised as a "dirty, dangerous disgrace" by a group of young mothers on the estate.

They said they did not even dare let their young children play outside while they shop in case the toddlers fall into the pool.

The mothers said the planners were reckless to build a pool of three feet depth when there is not even a guard rail around it to prevent children slipping in.

A Redditch Development Corporation spokesman said that work on the pool was not yet complete and safety measures would be included.

"The safety aspect has obviously been carefully discussed by the people who planned the pool and it is unfair to judge the pond before it has been completed.

"When all the work on the pool has been finished, I don't think anybody will be able to claim that it is a danger to children."