Accessible play equipment installed at various Thatcham parks

New accessible equipment units have been fitted at play parks across Thatcham.

A town council project for the installation of inclusive play equipment pieces has reached completion.

A roundabout has been installed at Kennet Heath at a cost of around £12,000 and will enable six children including a wheelchair user to spin together, with seating available for parents and carers to accompany their child.

A ramped Jeep springer has been installed at Turnfields, coming in at just over £17,000. The unit incorporates many tactile features and role play opportunities for users of all abilities.

Other installations include a cognitive play panel and rain wheel at Dunstan Green, an accessible playhouse at Moorside and another cognitive play panel at Lamb Close coming in at a total of £11,000 combined.

The play panels are hoped to provide children with visual, tactile and auditory stimulation.

The funds come from both Thatcham Town Council and West Berkshire Council (WBC).

The town council was awarded £19,950 of Members’ Bid funding from WBC and allocated £20,000 from its own annual budget for the project.

The town council, which manages 12 play parks in the town, said: “We have continued to invest in the play parks generally and have replaced various pieces of equipment throughout the year, such as crawl tunnels, springers, mirror panels, and monkey bars, in addition to the normal routine maintenance.

“The inclusive and accessible equipment brings more fun and excitement for the people of Thatcham and the surrounding area to enjoy.”