Adventure playgrounds for Bolton

6:05am Thursday 6th March 2008

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BOLTON Council could be awarded up to £2 million to create new adventure playgrounds across the borough.

The local authority has been named as one of 65 to be invited to bid for a slice of £225 million Government fund.

It must now put together a bid which will detail how it would use the cash and how the playgrounds would be of benefit to chilodren in the borough aged between eight and 13.

The Government will then decide if Bolton is to benefit from any cash and make an allocation of between one and two million pounds.

The council's executive member for children's services, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: "The money will enhance and complement the work we are doing. We have already consulted with residents as to what they want and plans to improve play facilities in the area are already underway.

"This programme will benefit all communities in Bolton by creating safe areas in which children can play as well providing modern equipment."

The Government wants to create 3,500 public play areas. It wants facilities to include staffed adventure playgrounds, with indoor and outdoor facilities.

The council says it is hopeing to receive the larger sum of money, given the work they are already doing to improve play facilities in the area.

Last year Town Hall chiefs were awarded £2.9 million to revamp existing play areas.

Chiefs also pledged to spend £630,000 on the creation of eight new playgrounds in Brownlow Fold, Ulleswater Street, Thomasson Park, Musgrave Road and Darbishire Park in the Halliwell and Crompton areas, and in Fern Street, Farnworth Central Park, and Harper Green, in Farnworth.

Cllr Thomas said: "We hope the Government recognise the work we have already put in and the importance of outdoor play for children both in terms of helping their health but also the educational benefits of play. We have been successful in bidding for Government money before."