Published: Friday, 23rd August 2024
Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet have agreed to recommend to full Council that it spends £141,770 on improvements to the play area at Flaxley Road in Rugeley.
Nearly £142k was approved to be included into the general fund capital programme at the Cabinet meeting last night.
The Flaxley Road play area on the Pear Tree Estate, Rugeley, has been earmarked for redevelopment as part of the Council’s ongoing multi-year play area improvement scheme. The current play area, which was installed in 1997, has become outdated, and the aging equipment is now in a state of disrepair. Following a spate of vandalism the site has been closed for a number of months.
The planned upgrades include the installation of new accessible play equipment, the creation of a circular walkway for walking and cycling, benches and bins and the planting of trees and hedges to enhance the site’s natural environment and contribute to the Council’s climate change efforts.
The Council has recently put out a request to the residents of the Pear Tree Estate to set up a ‘Friends of’ group. It is hoped this will reduce the anti-social behaviour that was happening around the park and to help ensure that once improved it will be a safe and welcome park for residents.
Councillor John Preece, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Leader for Parks, Heritage and Culture said “We have a rolling play area improvement scheme for parks and play areas across the district. Flaxley Road although a small park is now at the top of that scheme.
“Unfortunately, some parks and play areas across the district have become a target for anti-social behaviour, especially during the school holidays. This damage leads to unexpected repairs costs and could result in the play area being temporarily closed off until the repairs can be carried out. This has a negative impact on the residents that want to use the play areas. By building up more ‘Friends of’ groups we hope that this will reduce the levels of vandalism and anti-social behaviour we continue to see across the district.”
The total budget for the project is estimated at £141,770, which will be financed through existing S106 contributions from developers.
Work is expected to be completed by April next year.