Work on Lakeview recreation facilities gets underway

21 June 2005

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Work on a range of new and improved play facilities for children of all ages who live in and around the Lakeview Estate and West Horsell will soon be underway now that the consultation process with local residents is complete.

The scheme is a direct result of a survey sent out by Woking Borough Council in 2003 to children and young people living in the area. The survey results indicated that there was a need for both improved facilities and greater opportunities to participate in recreational activities.

In response to this survey, improvements including the refurbishment of the playground at Lidstone Close, a brand new skate park and additional improvements for older children at Lakeview Recreation Ground and a small play area for toddlers in Hartshill Walk, were agreed by Woking Borough Council's Executive last November.

Following the Executive's decision, the Council has been carrying out a further consultation process with potential users and local residents to discover how they want the improvements to be implemented.

The Council gathered the views and opinions of over two hundred residents whose comments helped officers to choose the type, and design, of play equipment that will be purchased for Lakeview Recreation Ground, Hartshill Walk play area and Lidstone Close play area.

Over 90% of residents were satisfied with the design of the skate park for Lakeview Recreation Ground, although there were some concerns about the skate park being too close to houses. The Council worked with an independent noise consultant to address concerns about the skate park's location and, as a result, this facility for older children will be relocated to an area further away from homes, and additional soundproofing will be built into the ramps.

Cllr David Bittleston, Woking Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: "I am delighted that work on these new and improved play facilities will soon be underway. Refurbishing children's play areas is part of a wider scheme to improve playgrounds across the whole Borough and these improvements at Lakeview will help to promote good health, fitness and outdoor activities to the young people living in Lakeview Estate and the surrounding area."

Now that the consultation period is over, work on the new equipment in all of the locations will begin in the next two to three weeks, in the hope that work will be completed in time for the school holidays.

For further information about the new facilities, please contact Geoff Ward, Woking Borough Council's Cultural and Community Development Manager, on 01483 743802.