Fuming residents hit out at plans for new play area in area blighted by ‘antisocial behaviour’

A residents group has hit out at plans for a new play park in an area of Middleton blighted by anti-social behaviour.

The proposals could see a play area  – boasting new pieces of equipment including swings, a seesaw and a roundabout – created on a large field at Mainway, in Alkrington.

Rochdale Council says the South Middleton area is under-served and the scheme – while not the only site under consideration – would bring good quality facilities to children aged between two and nine years old.

But residents group Alkrington Alliance say the proposed area is not safe due to old mine shafts under the field – a problem which has already forced the council to tweak its plans – and its proximity to the main road.

The group is also concerned that the field has begun to attract anti-social behaviour – an issue that has become a serious concern in Alkrington – and believes a play area on this site would only exacerbate the problem.

Rochdale Council says following feedback from residents, it is now re-investigating all possible sites for a new play area.

A spokesperson for Alkrington Alliance said: “It would be such a shame, we have very little green space. It has not been touched in over 100 years, it’s not been built on. So, the fact is these Labour councillors want to waste money when there are better things to spend money on.”

A council report puts the overall cost of the project at nearly £27,000 – but Alkrington Alliance claim it would come in at more than £150,000 with all the drainage and technical reports required.

“We have been doing a lot of research, they can’t build houses on it but they think they can get around it with a few surveys by putting a play area where there has been a lot of anti-social behaviour,” a spokesperson added.

“They think they can go ahead with it – and it’s such a waste of taxpayers money, they could use that money on the pavements. They are going to waste £150,000 on four pieces of play equipment – it doesn’t make sense.”

The group adds that anti-social behaviour on the field has been reported to the police and creating a new play area on Mainway would be unfair on all residents – particularly the elderly.

“I know children need somewhere to play but times have changed and they need somewhere secure that is locked up at night,” a spokesperson added.

“We had a meeting with one of the councillors and we mentioned about the anti-social behaviour. We said you need to learn from your mistakes. You need a park close to the school where they can lock the gates like in New York, where you can’t get into a park after 9pm.”

The council says its play strategy identified a lack of play provision in the southern part of Alkrington – but accepts the Mainway proposal ‘divided opinion’ among residents.

A council spokesperson said: “Following this, the council is now leading a project to re-investigate all possible sites for a new play area, taking into consideration many factors raised in the consultations to ensure suitability.

“We will continue to listen and work with residents and community groups before a proposal is put forward to the Middleton Township Committee in due course.”

However Councillor Pat Dale – re-elected to represent South Middleton earlier this month – added: “The children’s play proposals for Rhodes and Alkrington were very popular on the doorstep and pending officers evaluation of the alternative suggestions from the Mainway consultation.

“I look forward to resolving the under provision somehow in the areas concerned.”

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporting Service