Work starts on Haregate play areas

Work has begun this week on a new play area at Ball Haye Recreation Ground - one of three play areas in the Haregate area of Leek set to be improved this March.

Investment in new play areas and equipment has been agreed at Ball Haye Recreation Ground, Haregate Hall play area and The Waste open space. The projects have been funded by the ASCENT housing project, which has provided new family homes in the area, and the schemes will be managed by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

HAGS-SMP play company were awarded the contract and have this week started work at Ball Haye. Local councillors joined contractors on site on Tuesday to take a look.

Councillor Brian Johnson, cabinet member for leisure, sport and parks at the District Council, said: "The exciting designs that we're introducing at these sites will provide families and young people in Haregate with three diverse, fun and accessible new play areas.

"I'm pleased to see work getting underway now as it means these schemes will be finished and ready to welcome the local community in good time for the longer, and hopefully warmer, days of the coming spring and summer. I look forward to returning when the work is finished to see the final results."

Leek Town Council owns and manages Ball Haye recreation ground and has provided funding for this particular element of the scheme.

Leek Town Mayor, Councillor Rebecca Done, added: "These improvements are much needed and I know they will be well received by the community who were involved in choosing the final designs for Ball Haye in advance of work starting on site.

"It won't be long now before everyone can come and enjoy the play equipment and scheme they helped to choose."

The play area at Ball Haye will be closed whilst the work is carried out but access to the playing fields will be maintained. The work is expected to take around four weeks.

Work is set to start at Haregate Hall play area on 20 March and at The Waste open space on 27 March.