A FRIENDS Of group said they feel let down after One Trafford “reneged on their promise” to keep the park’s beloved full-time keeper.

One Trafford – the partnership between private contractor Amey and Trafford Council – is proposing to shake-up how it maintains its parks.

The Friends of Worthington Park, in Sale, were outraged to learn that their “exceptional” onsite gardener’s role is to be taken over by mobile gardeners from Monday April 10.

Worthington Park’s gardener will be joining the four-man mobile team, which will serve parks across the borough, on a three-month trial.

On Saturday April 1, dozens of people turned up at the park to protest against the move.

Cllr Jane Baugh, who is vice chair of Friends of Worthington Park, said: “From experience when the care of a park is handed over to mobile teams, parks can deteriorate quite quickly.

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“Unfortunately, we have already experienced this change in Walkden Gardens when the onsite gardener was removed last year.

“The plan is for a mobile team to come in to cut bowling greens, another team to open and close toilets, another to empty bins and another to maintain park, but where is the sense in this when one man already does all these jobs?”

The group said they feel mobile teams could not take the same degree of ownership and pride in their work as onsite gardeners and said that any drop in standards could lead to increased anti-social behaviour.

“It is appreciated that councils are being starved of funds by central government but would it really save money to withdraw our gardener, who does so much to such a high standard?” added Cllr Baugh.

“We do not believe we can let this happen, we have to stand up for what matters in our lives and this park is at the heart of our community and through our gardener, the health and wellbeing of all of us is greatly enhanced.”

Cllr Baugh, along with other members, met with Amey to discuss the change.

She said: “When Amey met with Friends groups when they were seeking the council contract for parks maintenance, I asked the question “Would we keep our own full time gardeners in our parks, the answer was yes. So, we feel really let down, so much for their promises.”

One Trafford said that its committed to maintaining a high standard within all its parks in the borough.

Trafford currently boasts six green flag parks; Victoria Park, Worthington Park, Walken Gardens, Denzel Gardens/Devisdale, Walton Park and Woodheys Park.

In addition, Lostock Park has also been put forward for green flag status this year.

A spokesperson said: “The maintenance of Worthington Park is currently being evaluated as part of a wider review of how grounds maintenance services are delivered across the borough. Starting on April 10, maintenance in Worthington Park will be carried out using a mobile team of gardeners on a three-month trial basis.

“The four-man team carries a mixed set of skills which the park will benefit from and includes the current gardener who already knows Worthington Park so well.

“It is not our intention to carry out less maintenance within the park, but instead ensure that the gardening skills and resources available are distributed evenly across the borough.

"The mobile team will provide a consistent high level of standard across Trafford; enabling us to focus on increasing the number of parks with green flag status.

“Before any final decision is made, the results of the trial will be discussed with the Friends of Worthington Park.”