Picnic Area no more

When I was out with Laura and the dog on one of our daily forays into the local area two Saturdays ago, we came across this area beside the river. When we first arrived in Livingston, this was an area with numerous picnic tables and was used by people during the summer. I assume that by taking them away it saves them money on upkeep etc. It seems a shame that something so simple and worthwhile can be simplified into pounds and pence.