Railings built to stop vehicles entering field
● HOUGH Green councillors have welcomed the progress being made on improvements to Prescott Road playing fields in Widnes.
Cllr Phil Harris, Labour, said the features being installed include a knee-height rail to prevent vehicle access such as scramblers.
He said most of the barrier has been completed with painting and finishing remaining to be done. It is hoped the railing will stop scrambler bikes, cars and caravans from accessing and damaging the field.
Other works include surface water drainage and fresh Tarmac to expand the car park.
Cllr Harris, who has led on the project said soft landscape works are also well under way.
Once the outdoor works are completed, a revamp of the changing rooms will replace the doors and windows, redecorate, and add security features.
The ward councillor said the main works are being funded with £125,000 from the Runcorn energy-from-waste incinerator environmental fund, worth about £500,000 a year, being administered by Halton Council.
The local authority’s property budget contributed £25,000 to pay for the changing room upgrade.
Cllr Harris, who is also the council’s portfolio holder for sport, said: “If the weather doesn’t go worse we are expecting practical completion before the end of February, which would be ahead of schedule.
“The playing fields are of important environmental value to the local community and this investment demonstrates our commitment to protecting them for future generations.”
He added: “The ward councillors are next looking at how the landscaping along the edge of the fields from Hough Green Road to the railway line adjacent to the housing can be enhanced, with further planting and some additional tree planting near the site entrance.
“One feature we are considering is planting poppies in the spring, given this year is the centenary of the end of the First World War.”