‘PLEASE KEEP FOLLOWING THE ADVICE’
(But please stick to the social distancing rules, say council chiefs as they reopen parks and sports pitches – just in time for the Easter celebrations)
SPORTS courts, pitches and park toilets have been reopened across Stoke-on-trent following the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Stoke-on-trent City Council has restored a range of services and facilities this week, including those in parks and green spaces, with more set to come back online over the next two weeks.
But council chiefs are still urging residents to follow the national social distancing guidelines, ahead of the Easter weekend.
The council has now unlocked tennis, basketball and football courts in its parks, and public toilets at parks will be open at weekends and through the week from now on.
Outdoor sports pitches at
Dimensions Leisure Centre and Northwood Stadium, along with several grass pitches, are now available to book.
Park cafes, which have been open for takeaways during the lockdown, will start to set up outdoor tables from April 12.
Council leader Abi Brown said: “I think that to date most people have been acting responsibly in our parks and green spaces, and we would encourage residents to continue doing this. We’ve been given the opportunity to reopen certain facilities, and we are pleased to do so. But I would ask that people still follow the guidance.
“I know it’s been a long winter under the lockdown, and I would encourage people to enjoy outdoor spaces responsibly. In Stoke-on-trent we are blessed with lots of parks and green spaces, so it could be a good idea for people to explore some of the places in their local areas, rather than everyone flocking to the most popular parks in the city.”
Unitas, the council’s housing maintenance company, has resumed internal planned work this week, with that classed as non-urgent responsive set to restart from April 12.
The council will also restart brown bin collections from Monday – on the same day as blue bin collections.
Mrs Brown added: “I know some council tenants have been waiting a while for repairs to be carried out, and I would ask them to be patient as services are restored. I understand there is a backlog, but Unitas will look to get through this as quickly as possible.”
On Monday the Government lifted the ‘stay at home’ order which had been in force throughout the latest lockdown.
People can now meet outside, including in private gardens, with one other household or in groups of up to six. Outdoor sports facilities can open and organised outdoor sports can resume.
Dr Richard Harling, director of health and care at Staffordshire County, urged people to stay safe following the easing of restrictions.
He said: “It’s great that people can get outdoors to enjoy the fresh air, but people have worked so hard to get to this point that we must hold on to the gains we have made. We cannot afford to let our guard down the time to relax and stop taking precautions.
“The vaccination programme has been a tremendous success, but it will be months before everyone is vaccinated and even longer before the full benefits are known.
“That’s why we must continue to stick to the rules, continue to be tested twice a week and get vaccinated when we become eligible. A surge in cases will risk delays on the release of restrictions or even worse a return to full lockdown.”