Safety improvements planned for park

Local councillor Richard Farnell and community campaigner Kathleen Nickson campaigning to improve security in Balderstone Park

Rochdale Township Committee has granted £6,500 to install new lighting columns after brand new play equipment was wrecked and following recent attacks on members of the public.

The new lights are the result of a campaign by local councillor Richard Farnell, following two violent attacks on the public walking through the park and toddler play equipment being wrecked just days after it was installed.

Councillor Farnell said: “There is a well-used footpath through the park, but at night it is almost pitch black. The path is a handy short cut from Oldham Road to homes on Balderstone Road but residents are too frightened to use it when it’s dark. There have been reports of at least two people being attacked in recent months.

“The Friends of the Park work incredibly hard to help improve facilities and everyone was so downcast when brand new play equipment was wrecked by vandals in the dead of night. Hopefully, the new and improved lighting will deter the hooligans and make it much safer for the public. I have managed to obtain enough funds to install five extra lighting columns, and the original lighting is to be upgraded too.

Local community campaigner Kathleen Nickson is calling for CCTV to be installed in the park.

She said: “Other parks have CCTV to help reduce vandalism and improve safety. Balderstone Library is located in the park grounds and has been targeted by vandals in the past and new signs have been daubed with paint.

“The park is really popular and has been improved so much recently by a hard-working band of volunteers. It’s a real shame their efforts are being destroyed by mindless louts. CCTV will help protect the park equipment and I am sure the scores of residents who regularly use Balderstone Park would feel much safer.”

The council’s community safety team is investigating the request to install security cameras.