Delight as controversial Wigan play area set to undergo revamp

The facility at Bexhill Drive in Hindley Green has been the focal point of a long-running dispute with opposition councillors criticising Wigan Council for not putting the site’s maintenance in the town hall budget.

The row saw Hindley Green Independent representative Coun Paul Maiden clash with the town hall last month over bringing the playground back into town hall ownership.

Coun Maiden had been concerned that once the popular play area had been transferred from Bellway Homes it would then be a community group that would be responsible for it and finding funds.

But he said the local authority has now agreed it will be incorporated into its environmental maintenance programme.

And Hindley Green Labour councillor John Vickers said he has been told that work will take place on the site just as soon as it is fully transferred to the council.

Coun Vickers said there will be a site inspection and remedial work to fencing and trees and shrubbery.

He said that if the play equipment is found to be safe, the site will re-open and be maintained and regularly inspected but if it is considered unsafe it will have to be removed.

Coun Vickers said: “While I am happy to continue to support residents in any way requested, I am determined that this should remain a residents-led community effort as they have stated they want.

“I will update further when I receive more information but as it stands at the moment this is all good news for everyone involved, with long overdue work on the Bexhill play area finally to be done.”

A community engagement exercise will take place with an online survey due to start on January 18 and hard copies will also be made available.

Residents have options including not to have play equipment bu t leave it as a naturalised site; leaving the area with metal equipment; installing natural wooden play equipment or further alternatives proposed by people taking part in the survey.

Two site consultation days are also currently scheduled to take place on January 29 and January 30, Covid restrictions permitting.