Play area boost for children on estate

A new £46,000 play area will be opened in the centre of a Brierley Hill estate to help keep children off the streets.

Chapel Street estate’s new community sports and play area will be officially opened by MP Ian Pearson tomorrow.

The area has a basketball court alongside a set of swings and a slide on a special safety surface. The site was funded through a Big Lottery grant obtained by Brierley Hill Youth Forum in partnership with Chapel Street Tenants and Residents Association, Amblecote Christian Centre, Dudley Council and police.

The lottery bid followed consultation about improvements for the area held with young people and tenants. The scheme was designed by young people and the lottery bid written by them.

Ian Pearson, MP for Dudley South, said: “I’m delighted to see these sports and play facilities here in Chapel Street and honoured to officially open them.

“It’s great to see something new in this area for young people to enjoy. I’m also impressed that local young people were instrumental in applying for the money and were involved in the design of the equipment and site. It’s great demonstration of a community, both young and old, working together.

Diane Mansell, from the Brierley Hill Community Forum, said: “The Sports and Play Area is not only a new much needed facility for local young people and families but will encourage active lifestyles.

“The Forum would like to thank Ian Pearson for performing the opening, the Brierley Hill Youth Forum, Amblecote Christian Centre, Dudley Council, Chapel Street Tenants and Residents Association and the Police for their support and hard work in getting this project off the ground.”

The Brierley Hill Community Forum, established in 2001, unites community and voluntary groups across Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and Pensnett to support residents to improve their quality of lives.

Membership includes tenants and residents associations, voluntary groups active in the town, the faith communities and other community groups.

Regular meetings are held at which members exchange information, share their experiences and plan future events.