Newcastle Labour is investing £110,000 to transform the children’s play area at Coach Lane, Little Benton, providing better and more inclusive facilities for local families.
Work is now getting under way on the major upgrade as part of the Labour-led council’s programme to improve children’s play facilities across Newcastle.
The £110,000 investment has been provided through Section 106 developer contributions secured as part of the redevelopment of Northumbria University’s Coach Lane campus for new housing.
Labour is reinvesting that money into the local community, with new and replacement play equipment, improved landscaping and better access all forming part of the Coach Lane improvements.
The redesigned play area will provide a much wider range of activities for children.
New natural play features and a trim trail will encourage children to explore and be active, while interactive games painted onto the surface will provide additional activities.
Accessibility is also an important part of the improvements.
A new wheelchair carousel will provide dedicated inclusive play equipment for disabled children, helping make the play area somewhere more children can enjoy together.
New soft surfacing will also be installed to improve safety throughout the facility.
The investment forms part of Newcastle Labour’s wider Play Area Investment Plan, which is improving facilities for children and families in neighbourhoods across the city.
By using funding generated through development to improve existing community facilities, Labour wants Newcastle’s continued growth to deliver visible benefits for the neighbourhoods affected.
Construction at Coach Lane is starting this month, with the transformed play area expected to open in January 2023.
A local Labour spokesperson said: “This £110,000 investment will make a real difference to children and families in the area, providing a much better range of equipment and making the play area more accessible.
“It’s particularly welcome that the new facilities will include inclusive equipment for disabled children so that more young people can enjoy the play area together.
“Labour will continue investing in neighbourhood play facilities and making sure that, as Newcastle grows, local communities benefit from better facilities and public spaces.”