Accessible play equipment secured for Thatcham parks

Children of all abilities will be able to enjoy new inclusive play equipment in Thatcham parks next year.

Thatcham Town Council is assessing various parks across the town for improvements and installations of new accessible equipment.

Different apparatus is being looked at and considered with advice from a special needs charity being sought and contractors being contacted.

Councillors have made site visits and found that, while parks within the town do “currently have some inclusive equipment”, with the exception of Crowfield Drive, items are dated and in need of upgrades.

Parks being considered are Turnfields, Seigecross, Mooreside, Kennet Heath and Crowfield Drive.

It is hoped that the work is completed by June 2023.

The project budget currently stands at £39,950, comprising £19,950 from West Berkshire Council to match-fund Thatcham Town Council’s £20,000.

The town clerk has thanked district councillors for their support in collectively securing Members Bill funding from the district council.

Chariman of Thatcham Town Council’s recreation and amenities committee Mark Lillycrop (Lib Dem, Thatcham West) also gave thanks.

He said: “I am grateful to the West Berkshire councillors who put bids in for us.

“It has made a huge difference.”

Mr Lillycrop said it is hoped that the project will make play areas “as accessible as possible” for children.

He said: “It is so that children with disabilities can play with their friends and siblings and that everybody is well catered for in each play area.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to do something like this.”

The council will also be liaising with Thatcham-based charity Swings & Smiles, which provides support for those with special needs and their families, to “seek expert advice”.

Further funding may be sought via The Good Exchange in a bid to extend the project further in what the council calls 'Stage two'.