£800k funding boost for Bury play areas

A major £800k investment programme is boosting and improving play areas across the borough..

Funded by Bury Council (£250k capital), Six Town Housing (£80k) and Section 106 Agreements in connection with housing developments (£470k), the play area investment programme is already under way.

As a result of the investment programme, 30 out of 60 play areas will be fully or partially refurbished, worn out equipment will be replaced, and safety surfacing will be renewed.

At ten of the 30 play areas, work is either complete or under way. A further six play areas are due for improvement during the spring, and the remaining14 play areas will be upgraded during the summer or autumn of this year.

Due to the significant number of play area refurbishments, work has been staggered across the year.

Councillor Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for environment, said: “Providing good quality, locally accessible play areas is so important for our local children and young people. Decent facilities encourage play and social interaction, support health and wellbeing and help give our youngsters a good start in life.

“This is why this type of investment is vital and why play provision continues to be high on the agenda.”

Play areas currently being improved include: Duke Street, Ainsworth; Parkside Walk, Bury; Summerseat Lane; Parr Lane, Unsworth; Whalley Road and Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom; Kershaw Avenue, Prestwich; Victoria Park, Whitefield; Hollinhurst Park, Radcliffe; Gardener Mount, Prestwich. Several smaller Six Town Housing play areas are also being improved.

Play areas programmed for improvement during the spring are: Purbeck Drive, Bury; Brandlesholme Road; Wellington Barracks; Hoyle Park, Bury; Sycamore Avenue, Tottington; and Bradley Fold.

All play areas in the borough have planned health and safety inspections and surveyed to prioritise improvements where funding is available.

To find out more about outdoor play and sports facilities across the borough, visit www.bury.gov.uk/playfacilities

ENDS

Press release issued: 22 March 2016.

Picture: Enjoying the new slide at Kershaw Avenue, Prestwich is young Elias Depoe-Hughes.