Town hall chiefs have been branded “barmy” for stopping a new playground from opening in the summer because it would be too popular.

The new children’s play area in Victoria Park was due to open in May but Tower Hamlets Council’s leisure department have put the unveiling back to November for fears that “too much pressure” would be placed on the facilities.

The improvements were part of a �12 million revamp for Victoria Park.

Shiria Khatun, the Labour group’s environment spokesperson, said: “It’s barmy that, over the school summer holidays when we should have been doing all we can to get children outside and active, the council has kept the padlocks on.”

After an enquiry from Labour councillors, the department said too much pressure would be put on the facilities that were ready to open as some areas were not finished.

The council said delay is due to the design of the play area changing and being advised by health and safety against a partial opening.

A new grass seeded area also needs longer to bed in, it added.

A spokeswoman said: “The council decided it would be prudent to wait until the play area was finished fully. The multi-million pound improvements in the park will benefit residents for years to come.”