CAMPAIGNERS who forced a debate on huge cuts to the borough's park service have hit out after councillors were denied the chance to vote on the issue.

Haringey Friends of Parks Forum delivered a petition signed by more than 2,500 people to Haringey Council last night calling for a reversal of 50 per cent cuts to the parks budget – sparking the first ever debate caused by a petition.

But before the meeting at Haringey Civic Centre in High Road, Wood Green, had even started, an emergency motion by two independent councillors calling for a vote on the issue was rejected, meaning the debate had no effect.

Chairman of the Friends of Lordship Rec, Dave Morris, said that he had expected that the council would automatically hold a vote after the debate.

He said: “The failure to hold a vote was disrespectful to the 2,500 residents who are demanding the cuts be reversed.

“It's unacceptable that the vast majority of green spaces are to be neglected, and that the council is failing to take responsibility for the situation.”

Campaigners told the meeting that the cuts have led to “mountains of litter and flowerbeds abandoned to weeds”, and claimed that 43 out of 46 of the borough's parks have little or no staffing.

But Councillor Alan Strickland, speaking for cabinet member for environment Councillor Nilgun Canver who did not attend the meeting, said that the council was forced to make the cuts due to reductions in Government funding.

He said: “No park will go unmaintained or abandoned – we're determined to work with you to do the best we can.”