SHABBY play areas across Barnsley are getting a £300,000 face lift to prevent them falling into further disrepair.
The cash will be split between parks in Ardsley, Wombwell, Darfield, Penistone and Bolton-upon-Dearne to revamp tired play areas, put in new equipment, replace fencing and improve footpaths.
The money has been secured by Barnsley Council through negotiations with developers as part of planning approval - where cash is set aside by developers to benefit the community.
Austerity measures and cuts to the council’s budget of almost £90m since 2010 has meant there has been little spare cash to be spent on play parks, aside from routine maintenance and minor repairs.
Cabinet spokesman Coun Roy Miller, who signed off the report approving the work, told the Chronicle: “We were down to the basics. Anything that got broken or vandalised got taken out and wasn’t replaced.
“This will put back for kids to enjoy use of the parks.
“It’s a very positive move.”
