Signs prohibiting ball games in Aberdeen public spaces are still on display – a year after council chiefs vowed to scrap them.
“No ball games” warnings have been spotted in various areas including Tillydrone, Seaton and Mastrick even though councillors voted to remove them all last August.
The deadline for taking down the signs is today to coincide with national play day.
The council announced the scheme with a blaze of publicity, with even Aberdeen football legend Dennis Law voicing his support.
In a report to councillors on the communities, housing and infrastructure committee last year read: “The signs have been erected over a number of years on a piecemeal basis at the request of local residents to deter what is deemed antisocial behaviour.
“Most of the signs are in poor repair and unsightly. It is understood that the signs have no legal status.
“The removal of the signs will be a first for Scotland leading to positive publicity for the city.”
Alex Nicoll, education spokesman for the opposition SNP group, said last night that the council should ensure all the signs are removed or painted over.
He said: “I’m very disappointed that some of the signs have remained, I think we should be encouraging kids to get out and about kicking a ball and these signs, which look very official, could be intimidating to them.
“I really don’t understand why we haven’t been able to do it.”
Infrastructure convener Neil Cooney said the removal of all signs remained the council’s policy.
He said: “I think there will be a final round-up of the signs this week.
“Our policy remains to get rid of all signs eventually but we have unfortunately had some delays.
“In areas such as sheltered housing we have tended to plant in front of that to deter ball games.
“It’s great that this project has almost been completed, we should be encouraging kids to be getting out there to play.”
