Work starts on £30k play area in Bromley Cross
2:00pm Monday 20th July 2009 in News
INSTALLATION of a controversial £30,000 play area has started on a village green, despite protests from nearby residents.
The state-of-the-art play area is being built on grassland close to Little Brow in Bromley Cross, known locally as the Brick Back.
The plan has split residents in the area, many of whom think it will attract yobs and anti-social behaviour.
Local councillors considered other sites after angry residents said they did not want the new lottery-funded play area, but these have now been discounted, and the work will go ahead as planned.
Bromley Cross councillor David Greenhalgh said: “Councillors had a decision to make, and we looked at alternative sites, but none were suitable. One was covered in Japanese knotweed and another was too far away for mums to go to with their children.
“We and the police are willing to work with residents to make sure that anti-social behaviour doesn’t take place there.
“If we say no to it then we say goodbye to £30,000 of investment that’s coming into Bolton Council for youth facilities, and we weren’t prepared to do that.
“We understand the concerns of the residents, but at the end of the day, we should get a facility that’s appreciated by the community.
“It’s only a small minority of residents who are against it, and while they have serious concerns that have to be acknowledged, there are a lot more people in the community that want it.”
The play area will have swings, a roundabout and a climbing frame.
It is designed for four to 11-year-olds.
