Caron asked the january full council meeting questions about access and maintainance regarding the play facilities in shiremoor
Here we have the full question and supplementary question that Caron asked, recorded as the “Agenda and draft minutes” of the meeting on the council website.
Caron Kirkham, Shiremoor asked the council:
As a grandparent I’m concerned about the lack of play spaces in Shiremoor that I can safely walk to with my 8 year old grandson. Access to playgrounds is essential for children’s physical and mental health, and for the wellbeing of parents, carers and the wider community, as a recent parliamentary debate underlined.
The council’s play strategy (2020-2030) states that “Equipped children’s play space should be created within a safe and easy walking distance, minimising the need to cross roads and other significant barriers.”
It also notes that weekly recorded inspections of play sites are carried out to “examine the equipment’s basic condition, any faults from vandalism, breakages and cleanliness of the play area.” My nearest play space is Moorside Play Area but I have to cross the, sometimes very busy, Station Road to access it. There used to be a crossing outside ‘Pryce Right’ but it’s been decommissioned. Moreover, Moorside Play Area does not always appear to be maintained and there is often rubbish including broken glass. My question is – what is the council position on creating and maintaining play spaces in the ward?
Councillor Hannah Johnson, Labour councillor for Chirton and Percy Main and Cabinet Member responsible for the Environment replied as follows:
We know how important play sites are for the wellbeing of children and families and there are 55 play sites across North Tyneside where we continue to invest in new equipment.
We have a team dedicated to looking after our play sites and all are inspected at least once a week and litter removed as part of these visits. In addition, all play sites display a contact number where people can report any issues between visits.
In Shiremoor ward, we have five play sites including the award winning and unique Shiremoor Adventure Playground.
I know that the Moorside play site has had some unprecedented vandalism, which has meant that we have had to temporarily remove or decommission some of the kit. However, I am pleased to say that there are plans to replace the damaged equipment. This is part of an investment of over £130,000 on play equipment in the Shiremoor area over the next twelve months, including the provision of a brand-new toddlers play area at the adventure playground.
Caron asked the following supplementary question:
I’ve spoken to other parents and grandparents about this and people who live in some of the newer developments in the area such as Cloverfield and the Hastings Drive estate have even further to travel than me, they also have busy roads to cross to access Play spaces. Are there any plans to update the play spaces available where new housing is built?
Councillor Hannah Johnson replied as follows:
There are obviously a number of play areas in Shiremoor already, particularly when it comes to the Shiremoor Adventure Playground – it’s completely unique, not just within our borough, but within the North East as well. I wouldn’t necessarily think that people in Shiremoor are not catered for when it came to playground equipment and we’re also again investing in the equipment, particularly at Moorside that might have been damaged, so we are investing in our existing play areas as well.
Caron says:
“It’s crucial that the voice of our community is heard, and the council ensures that everyone is within 10 minutes walk of a well maintained play space. I am continuing to push for answers and improvements in this area. I will keep you updated as things progress. Thank you for your ongoing support! “