Four new play areas planned for the Borough - here's where

Four new play areas will be created in the Borough and several existing sites are set to be upgraded, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council has confirmed.

Hardwick, Hartburn, Billingham South, and Norton South will all benefit from new play areas, primarily targeted at younger children, after the Council identified them as areas currently lacking play provision.

The Council-led investment programme will see consultation on a £40,000 play area next to the Elmwood Centre in Hartburn get under way in the coming days.

Another consultation will take place imminently to get people's views on a new £35,000 play area off High Newham Road in Hardwick.

The construction of the play area in Hardwick will follow an initial £85,000 scheme to carry out tree planting and other improvement works, funded by money the Council has secured from the Government's Levelling Up Parks Fund.

Meanwhile, work is ongoing to identify suitable sites in the Council's Billingham South and Norton South wards.

Councillor Mike Smith, the Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: "We know that access to play areas is very important to people, especially families, and we regularly review our play area provision across the Borough.

"Of course that always has to be within the context of the limited funding available.

"Through our review work we've identified a gap in play provision in these four areas and so we're now pressing ahead with work to put that right by delivering four new facilities for families to enjoy.

"These will be small play areas, primarily targeted at younger children.

"Alongside that, we're lining up a series of investments to refurbish or upgrade a number of other play areas in the Borough. We'll be providing further details in due course.

"We currently manage or oversee well over 40 play areas across the Borough so it's also important to be clear that we don't have the funds to refurbish or upgrade them all. We will be targeting investment at those areas that need it most."

Councillor Smith also confirmed challenges around disabled access to play areas are also being considered as part of the investment programme.

"We recognise the challenges for people with complex needs, mobility and other disabilities," he said. "And we can assure families that we do everything we can to create the maximum possible degree of accessibility in all of our play areas.

"Sadly, it isn't possible to make every site accessible to every individual. Our small sites are particularly limited in the size and range of equipment that can be incorporated.

"We're continually reviewing options to provide a greater level of accessible play provision in our larger play facilities and the new Stockton Waterfront urban park gives us a great opportunity to create the Borough's most accessible play site."

The investment programme is backed by funding from the Council as well as funding the Council has secured from Government, plus contributions from developers.

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