YOUNG children are being forced to play football in the road or on a car park because they have no play area on a giant Soham housing estate. Parents claim they were promised a park for their children when the homes were built two years ago but there is s

YOUNG children are being forced to play football in the road or on a car park because they have no play area on a giant Soham housing estate.

Parents claim they were promised a park for their children when the homes were built two years ago but there is still no sign of it.

Their frustrations turned to anger this week when signs declaring No Ball Games were erected in the car park behind their homes.

"The children want to get together and play but there are only so many children you can have roaring round your garden," said Carl Green, 37, from Gadwell Way.

"When we moved here last May we were told land had been set aside for a play area. Now it would seem we are not going to get one.

"I can understand why they can't play football in the car park because cars could get damaged but they need somewhere to play. We live in a cul-de-sac and we are careful when we are driving because we know children play in the road. But it's dangerous."

The 357 homes on the estate were built by a number of developers and plans for three toddler parks, a play park for older children and a junior football pitch were included in the development.

Now residents have been promised the parks and the football pitch will be provided by developer, Cofton this autumn.

An East Cambridgeshire District Council spokesman said: "Cofton is currently on site and the parks will be built according to the timescales in the next planning season which is the start of autumn.