HEALTH and safety fears are preventing Warrington RUFC from returning to an abandoned Appleton site which has left some residents living next to an 'impenetrable jungle'.

Last April the club, which previously played its home fixtures at the ground, on Bridge Lane, said the land would 'return to use' by September – more than 12 years after it was abandoned.

The club has continued to lease the field from the council for £15 a year under terms dating back to 1959.

But concerns over plans to 'cash in' on development, as well as over the state of the field, continue to surface.

Appleton councillors Brian Axcell, Judith Wheeler and Sharon Harris raised a number of issues in a letter to council chief executive Steven Broomhead.

They said: "The borough councillors for Appleton have been trying for years to get the undergrowth next to the public footpath from Greenfields Avenue to the Bridge Lane rugby field cleared.

"Vegetation, primarily Japanese knotweed, on the strip of land adjacent to the path and 100 Greenfields Avenue has now been cut back.

"On the other side of the path, adjacent to 114 Greenfields Avenue, only part of the vegetation, which consists of just about every other pernicious weed, has been cut down, leaving a layer of impenetrable jungle next to the fence.

"There are also problems on the rugby field behind the newer housing in Greenfields Avenue.

"This again takes the form of impenetrable jungle, which makes access to the residents' fences from the field impossible.

"Council officers from various departments are well aware of the problem but nothing has been done to ensure the club meets its responsibilities."

Andy Kellett, Warrington RUFC mini and junior chairman, has responded to the concerns.

He said: "Last summer we spent a considerable amount of money, with a view to developing the playing area as promised.

"Disappointingly, despite our expensive efforts, which included several sanitisation and remediation programmes by qualified contractors, the amount of dog faeces which quickly returned means we cannot countenance, from a health and safety perspective, playing on Bridge Lane, given potential infection as matters stand.

"We retain our lease and maintain the ground accordingly.

"We regret the weed and pest growth but like any area which is semi-derelict it will attract infestation and will continue to do so.

"We would welcome discussions to progress matters any way we can. However, it has to make sense for all parties from a financial perspective."

The council said it 'maintains discussions' with Warrington RUFC and will 'continue to monitor' the situation.

A spokesman added: "Although the council has no ownership or responsibility for this land, we have taken action simply to maintain a reasonable environment for people."