Lib Dem Cllrs applaud plans for new playgrounds, but teenagers still need better facilities (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dem Cllrs applaud plans for new playgrounds, but teenagers still need better facilities

May 30, 2003 12:00 AM

Lib Dem Cllrs Alan Taylor and Andrew Tear (Harehills) and Ralph Pryke (Burmantofts) are delighted that regeneration funds will be used to improve playground facilities at Hovingham Avenue, Banstead Park and Nowell Mount. The work, costing a total of £388,000, will be funded through the SRB3 Recreational Development Scheme.

Cllr Taylor said "This is marvellous news. I'm delighted that this regeneration money is being targeted towards facilities for children - at present there simply aren't enough places for youngsters to play safely in Harehills and Burmantofts. The improvements to these playgrounds will go some way towards making the area a safer place for children, it's just a great pity that the Council has taken so long to replace equipment which was removed for safety purposes."

Cllr Tear also welcomed the news. "This work is much needed, and long overdue. Banstead Park is the only real green space in the vicinity, and has been neglected for far too long by the Labour Council. I'm pleased to see that something is being done at last. I'm also happy to see that Hovingham Avenue playground is to be improved - though I'm worried about road safety on Hovingham Avenue. We will continue the campaign to make this road safer to cross, which is all the more important now that there's a likelihood that more children will be coming to and from the playground."

Cllr Pryke said "The work to carried out at Nowell Mount Playing Fields is very welcome, but I would still like to see more effort by the Council to provide activities for older children in the area. Compared to some other parts of Leeds, we are under-provided for in terms of football fields, cricket pitches and skateboard parks. There are ten skateboard parks in Leeds, with another nine planned, but none of these are in Harehills or Burmantofts. It's about time teenagers in our area were properly catered for."