Funding boost for Northwich play area

Funding body WREN gave £50,000 last month towards the cost of new equipment at the play area, the first phase of a major scheme to improve the site.

Funding for the new equipment is also being provided by Cheshire West and Chester Council, local ward councillors, Northwich Town Council and Weaver Vale Housing Trust.

The project has received a further boost in the form of a £30,000 grant from The Veolia Environmental Trust to fund the installation of new equipment and safety surfacing for the play area.

The work will form part of a much larger scheme to improve the sports pitch and open space and upgrade access.

Veolia will now work with Cheshire West and Chester Council to finalise the details of the scheme, including a start date, so that work can begin as soon as possible.

Cheshire West director of place operations, Maria Byrne said: “This is a further piece of great news, which will mean we can start the improvements to the play spaces at Saxons Lane, which will make a huge difference to the lives of people living in the area.

“This project will provide a real boost to the community.

“It’s fantastic that Veolia has awarded us this money and we’re really looking forward to a refurbished play area taking shape over the next year.”

Executive director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, said: “The council conducted a wide-scale public consultation in the summer of 2016, presenting ideas on how to improve the whole Saxon’s Lane site.

“Ideas included a phased programme to refurbish the play area, skate and multi-use games areas together with playing pitch improvements and more footpath links. There was widespread community support for the ideas.”

The council will seek to secure further funding to realise the remaining elements of the wider Saxon’s Lane project this year.

Cheshire West Cabinet member, councillor Louise Gittins said: “We are really looking forward to a refurbished play area taking shape over the next year.”