Improvements to play area on King George V playing fields

Improvements will be made to the children’s play area on King George V Playing Fields, (off St. Martins Street) in Hereford, commencing on Monday, February 28.

The existing wood chip surfacing that is under two of the play equipment items will be removed and replaced with new ‘rubber crumb’ safety surfacing.

This safety surfacing, like a rubber tarmac, is designed to reduce the severity of injuries as it absorbs the impact of a fall.

The works will take two weeks to complete, the ground works and excavation being undertaken during the first week and the installation of the safety surfacing being completed during the second week.

These works are part of a rolling programme to upgrade play areas in the county and they should also help to improve the access to the play equipment for users with disabilities.

The play area is managed by Herefordshire Council Parks, Countryside & Leisure Development Service and the works have been part-financed by an Amenity Improvement Contribution from Laing Homes–Midlands Ltd, the developers of the old General Hospital site off Nelson Street, Hereford.

Geoff Dimbylow, Herefordshire Council’s Special Projects Officer, said: “Whilst works are in progress it may be necessary to close the play area to the public for health and safety reasons.

“We apologise in advance for any inconvenience, but hope that users will appreciate the improvement to the existing facilities.”

The new surfacing will be installed by a specialist company ‘RTC Safety Surfaces Ltd.’ of Burnley, Lancashire which is a registered company with the Association of Play Industries.

All play areas managed by Herefordshire Council undergo regular safety checks to ensure that they are not damaged by vandalism or natural wear and tear and continue to comply with health and safety regulations.

All equipment in the Herefordshire Council managed play areas complies with the British Safety Standards and every new play area that is installed also complies with European Safety Guidelines and the Disability Discrimination Act.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) undertakes independent inspections of all Council play areas in the county every year to ensure that they meet the standards required.