Basildon's parks and open spaces to benefit from £240k investment (From Basildon Recorder)

Basildon's parks and open spaces to benefit from £240k investment

8:00am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

A £240,000 cash injection will be ploughed into parks, open spaces and allotments in Basildon.

Basildon Council has decided to continue its investment in the borough’s green spaces so improvements can be made to make them better and safer for the residents that use them.

Kevin Blake, Basildon Council’s cabinet member for leisure and arts, will now be working with council officers to decide where the funding should be allocated to.

One area that is already earmarked to benefit from some cash is the Burstead play area at Sun Corner, in Billericay.

Mr Blake said he has received complaints about the poor state of the play equipment in the past, but up until now the council has not been in a position to carry out repairs or replace the run down equipment.

He said: “It’s nice to have some good news. Through prudent management at a time when people are struggling, it’s good to be able to give something back to them.

“The money we are spending is a substantial amount, but the parks will be free for the public to use. We’re giving something to the community at no real cost to them in that sense.

“Play areas are essential and it’s important for the youth today to be able to go to areas at no cost.”

The announcement follows continued investment from Basildon Council and its partners of more than £300,000 into Lake Meadows, Billericay, which has included new footpaths, drainage, a play area, and security fencing, £160,000 on new allotments and a multi-use sports area in Victoria Park, Laindon, and more than £1.6m that is being spent on Gloucester Park, in Basildon, where improvements include a new play area, lake and pathways.