Wooden animal sculptures are the latest part of the controversial Sutton High Street redevelopment to be criticised as a health and safety risk.

The 14 play seats, which cost £750 each, have been highlighted in an independent road safety audit into the £3.3m works.

WSP, a global engineering and design consultancy, stated in its report to Sutton Council the low animal statues in Trinity Square could cause accidents.

It said: “The lower height statues could form a trip hazard to visually impaired pedestrians. This may result in injury accidents.”

It recommended the council should locate statues away from pedestrian routes or consider their replacement by taller statues.

The criticism of the Transport for London funded project is one of 18 problems highlighted by WSP.

Other criticisms include visibility problems at the dangerous raised stage area, a lack of tactile paving to warn visually impaired residents they are reaching roads, and design faults that could cause vehicles to try and enter the pedestrianised parts of the High Street.

The audit has been released by the council as it continues work to rectify faults in the development, and follows a highly critical internal report and disabled access assessment.

The council has now approved designs for gates to replace faulty log benches designed to act as moveable barriers to allow emergency vehicles access to the High Street.

The benches were cordoned off and removed soon after October last year, when 75-year-old Evelyn Rider, of Carshalton Beeches, tumbled off a bench opposite the Grapes pub.

A faulty locking mechanism caused the bench to swing away from under her.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, executive member for planning, economic development and housing at Sutton Council, said: “We have been working closely with SCILL’s Access Group to consider these reports.

"The wooden animals have been located away from the direct pedestrians’ path; SCILL did not raise any concerns regarding the wooden animals in their report and there have been no reported incidents involving them being a hazard to pedestrians.”

“There are 10 access points to the High Street where gates are set to be installed so we can control vehicle access to the pedestrian area. The bulk of the cost is expected to be recovered because the original log gates were found to be faulty.”

The council is looking to apply for a further investment £450,000 from the Mayor of London's outer fund for further investment in the High Street, including improved signage.