Playgrounds lined up for summer refurbishments

The works are the first tranche in a four-year, £1.6 million refurbishment programme by Hillingdon Council to upgrade 23 playgrounds enabling young residents have access to safe, high quality play and leisure facilities by replacing older play equipment in the borough.

The programme will focus on play equipment across communal housing estates and within parks and open spaces in the borough, and first in line for a much-needed overhaul will be the play area in Fassnidge Park, Uxbridge, with work scheduled to start on 26 June.

The council will then begin work at Albion Road playground in Hayes and St Peter's Road playground in Cowley. A new play area at Cranford Park, included as part as of the major refurbishment of the historic site, is also being included from the same pool of funding.

The new play areas will include the latest, modern equipment that is inclusive and accessible wherever possible. Visitors to Albion Road will be able to use a three-way see-saw and wheelchair accessible roundabout, as well as play on double-tower multiplay unit, a fireman's pole, do hopscotch, or go down the extra wide slide. While those playing in St Peter's Road, can use an inclusive see-saw, cradle seat swing, springer, tipi carousel and a climbing agility unit. There'll even be a junior multi-unit specifically for younger children.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "We're committed to preserving and enhancing the borough's green spaces and providing ways to help residents live healthy, active lives.

"This is a timely upgrade to some of our more outdated playground sites to not only bring them up to modern standards with the latest equipment, but also to ensure they're inclusive and accessible as we firmly believe every child deserves the right to play."

Work to upgrade the playgrounds at Albion Road and St Peter's Road is scheduled for completion this summer.