Braintree District Council has secured a sum of £250,000 Section 106 funding to improve the functionality and appearance of Ramsey Road Recreation Ground in Halstead.
A recent independent Annual Play Area Inspection for Ramsey Road Play Area and Skate Park identified that the riding surface of the Half Pipe ramp was severely damaged, with parts corroded excessively and the metal perforated in places.
When the council assigned a professional metalwork company to carry out the maintenance works, it was advised that the metal had corroded to the extent that the item was unrepairable.
The council has decided that this one item of the skate park is no longer fit for purpose and should be removed. The works to dismantle the Half Pipe ramp will commence on Monday 27 June.
In 2019, the council ran a public consultation to give everyone who uses the recreation ground or lives in the surrounding area, the opportunity to share their thoughts on the requirements for the park. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the next stage of the project had to be postponed.
However, over the coming months, the council will be preparing design concepts, taking into account the comments received from residents’ and stakeholders’ and will include a brand new skatepark facility. The previous feedback will help the council shape the design and layout of the new facilities at the park, that can be shared with the public at a later date.
Cllr Wendy Schmitt, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and The Environment at Braintree District Council, said: “We know from residents’ feedback that our parks and open spaces are important to them, and we appreciate that the Half Pipe ramp at Ramsey Road Skate Park may be sorely missed. However, there are plans in the pipeline to improve the park and create brand new facilities that are modern, fun and safe to use, as well as providing an environment for those who use the park for other outdoor activities.”
Updates to the Ramsey Road Recreation Ground project will be published on Braintree District Council’s website and social media channels. Residents that live immediately adjacent will notice posters in the park and receive letters from the Braintree District Council directly.
