At least £30,000 is urgently needed to update and refurbish a well-used play park in Peasedown St John, according to the village’s Bath and North East Somerset Councillors.
The Eckweek Lane Play Park, which opened in 2003, is nestled within what has become known as the ‘new estate’, the collection of 1,000 homes built in the village since 1989.
Located between Saxon Way and Under Knoll, the park is a popular place for children to play and families to visit during the weekends and school holidays.
Cllr Sarah Bevan (Independent, Peasedown St John), who originally opened the play park with former Councillor, Gail Coleshill, over thirteen years ago, said: “The Eckweek Lane Play Park was a worthwhile investment all those years ago. With almost 2,000
children living in Peasedown, we have certainly needed every inch of our parks and open spaces where it’s safe for them to play, let off steam, and meet their peers and family members.
“All of these years later though, the park is in need of equipment being replaced and updated.”
Last Wednesday, Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown St John) met with B&NES Council’s Resources Panel, the cross-party group of Councillors that scrutinise the local authority’s finances. She said: “We need at least £30,000 to make the necessary updates to Eckweek Lane Play Park. In the grand scheme of things, this isn’t a lot of money, so I’m hoping the council will look on our request favourably.
“I’m grateful to councillors on the resources panel for allowing me to raise this issue with them. Let’s hope it gets the support and backing of the Council leadership.”
The village Councillors’ request for funding will now be passed through the 2017/18 Budget decision-making process, with a final decision being made in February next year.