‘NET’ GAINS AS PLAY PARK SET TO GET £75K REVAMP
‘State-of-the-art’ site to include basketball court and train
A PLAY area and basketball court is to undergo a £75,000 makeover.
The Hassall Road play park in Alsager will be revamped thanks to money secured from local housing developments.
Work is due to begin this month with Cheshire East Council hoping it can be completed by April.
Ansa – Cheshire East’s arm’slength environmental company – and Alsager Town Council have been working together on the proposals.
It is hoped the town council will be able to fund improvements to the open space near the play area later this year.
The current work will include:
■ Climbing equipment for older children;
■ A playzone for both junior and older children;
■ A two-bay swing set with basket frame and flat seats;
■ A toddler train;
■ Various spinning items for very young children.
Councillor Laura Crane, cabinet member responsible for green spaces, said: “The council has been discussing these plans with the town council and local ward members for some time in response to requests from residents to see improvements.
“I am pleased that we are now able to progress this and that there is the prospect of further enhancements later on.
“I also want to thank our team in Ansa for their hard work in securing the developer contributions through the planning process, which have helped to fund this project.”
Councillor Philip Williams, who represents Alsager, said: “With the range of equipment this will provide, this improved provision will be warmly welcomed by our residents who wish to see this green space transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art recreation facility for the benefit of children and young people.
“In time we will see a valued recreation and open space parkland that will benefit people of all ages, including adults wanting to enjoy a pleasant, outdoor facility on their doorstep.
“Alsager town councillors have worked hard to help secure funding and I look forward to working with them and local residents on further developments on this site.”
BANNED driver Alexandru Himcinschi has been jailed after he drove to a chemist’s to buy painkillers for his girlfriend – while over the alcohol limit.
The 29-year-old was stopped by police after they saw his car ‘swerving’ between lanes and he was found to be more than twice over the drink-drive limit.
He was disqualified from driving at the time, as a result of a previous drink-driving conviction, while his latest offences put him in breach of a suspended prison sentence.
North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard police saw Himcinschi’s VW Golf on the A500 at 3am on February 20.
Prosecutor Alicia Perry said: “It appeared to be swerving between the lane markers of lanes one and two. He was told to turn the engine off and hand the keys to the officer.
“The officer noted that the defendant had a glazed look in his eyes and smelled of intoxicating liquor.”
Himcinschi failed the roadside breath test and went on to give an alcohol reading of 90 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Pottery worker Himcinschi, of Victoria Street, Chesterton, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, driving while over the alcohol limit, and driving without insurance.
Magistrates heard the Romanian national was handed a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, last August and banned from driving until August 2023.
Simon Leech, mitigating, said: “His last two offences were committed during the coronavirus lockdown when, at the time, he was without work. He tried to make ends meet by buying and selling cars.
“With hindsight he realises it was a stupid enterprise.
“What makes this offence different is the fact that he was prioritising the needs of his girlfriend. Shortly before this incident she had been injured in an accident at work, where she received hospital treatment for a serious injury to her leg.
“She was in a considerable amount of pain and he drove to the 24-hour chemist to obtain some medication. He was very concerned about her health.”
Magistrates activated part of Himcinschi’s suspended sentence and gave him a 12-week sentence for his new offences.
In total, he has been jailed for 22 weeks and disqualified from driving for 48 months.
Danny Mclaughlin, chairman of the bench, told him: “There seems to be a blatant disregard for the law and I think it’s time a lesson was learned.”