New play facilities for children to be opened in Hawbush

A new toddler activity zone including cradle swings, balancing equipment, springers and spinners is being created on green space in Wells Road.

Meanwhile, at Swanfield Road open space there is new play equipment for primary school aged children including slides, monkey bars, swings, an accessible carrousel, a toddler castle, a three-seater seesaw, play panels and more.

The work is being carried out in conjunction with the Hawbush Tenants and Residents Association thanks to £85,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which enables local authorities to collect funds from developers for infrastructure, facilities and services in the borough.

The old Hawbush play area was also transformed last year, when new play equipment and football goals were installed.

Councillor Damian Corfield, Dudley Council's cabinet member for environment and highways, said: “Dudley Council is committed to building a child friendly borough and we know that creating and maintaining space for our children to explore and play is a vital part of this.

“We are thrilled to see new play equipment going into these green spaces and I am sure it will be very popular with local families and children who attend the local school.”

Geoff Lawley, from the Hawbush Tenants and Residents Association, added: “The TRA started a campaign to get this new equipment in some time ago and we are really pleased to see this here now for our local children.

“We will continue to work with the local authority to look at ways of making improvements to the green spaces in our area.”

Cllr Wayne Little and Cllr Adam Davies at Swanfield Open Space - located between Swan Lane and Harrison Road on the Hawbush estate, Brierley Hill. (Image: Cllr Adam Davies)

Brierley Hill councillors Adam Davies and Wayne Little also welcomed the investment in play equipment for little ones.

Cllr Davies said: "It's been a long time since children on the Hawbush estate, Swan estate and other nearby streets had quality play equipment, so working to get this for them has been a big priority for us as ward councillors.

"I'm really pleased that working with council officers and the TRA we've also managed to secure a smaller second site of toddler play equipment that will be installed near Wells Road, and that the basketball court and goal ends on Hawbush Road have also been improved so there's something for older kids too."

Cllr Little added: "Swanfield open space has always been a great a place for children and families to get together and play. So, after pushing for this new play equipment, it’s exciting to know it will soon be making the whole experience better for the next generation of children and families.”