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Work on Play Area Rebuild to Commence Next Year

Council News & Services

Design plan drawing of new play area at Western/South Road 

Children in Hailsham can look forward to new improved facilities as plans are underway to rebuild the play area in Western Road, which are set to deliver an exciting upgrade to play equipment next year.

Most of the equipment is to be renewed, with three of the original pieces to be retained, all of which are in a serviceable condition. The rebuild will include the installation of new, DDA-approved play equipment, resurfacing of the playground as required and additional public benches (and other furniture).

The Western Road play area has been providing play for children in Hailsham for many years and has seen changes in the equipment during its service. During the last ten years, the area has benefited from a range of additional equipment installed to replace the pieces that had fallen into disrepair. The original equipment will be recycled locally to save on waste cost, to allow more investment into the equipment.

The revamp of the play area is part of Hailsham Town Council’s continued commitment to improve local parks and open spaces and will involve the installation of a large multi-play unit to be located in the centre of the play area (with double-width slide), a wheelchair-accessible carousel, four-person springer seesaw, sensory play area, toddler area with a theme based on the former Hailsham train station, new picnic bench plus three new benches and two new litter bins with recycle option.

The site will feature an overlay of the existing surfacing with colour-fleck wet pour for optimum safety of play area users.

The project has a budget of £125,000 and is being funded by using Section 106 funds from Wealden District Council. The contract was awarded to Wicksteed Leisure Ltd, a leading outdoor play equipment supplier established in 1918.

It is anticipated that work will commence on the new play area next Spring, although this will depend on any potential COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time.

Councillor Richard Grocock, Chairman of the Town Council’s Assets Management Committee which oversees play areas in Hailsham said: “Children’s play areas play a vital role in outdoor recreation, providing children with an area to relax, meet friends and play.”

“The Town Council’s play areas strike a balance between providing stimulating play and meeting current safety requirements, which is why we pride ourselves in maintaining our facilities to the highest standards and undertaking regular inspections and repairs where necessary, and major revamps such as this one.”

“We are very pleased to be able to provide a major rebuild of the Western Road play area next year. The facility is well-used and the revamp to be carried out is aimed at improving and refreshing the equipment, plus it also helps the Town Council tackle the challenge of a growing number of families with children in the area.”

In addition to Western Road, the Town Council currently manages play areas in South Road, Battle Road, Stroma Gardens, Quinnell Drive and on the Maurice Thornton playing field.


Enquiries relating to this media release

Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk