Play areas get makeover whilst closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak

Some play areas in Exeter are being refurbished whilst the equipment is out of use due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the City Council has revealed.

Making the repairs now mean the areas will be ready for use once restrictions are lifted, limiting any future disruption.

Cllr David Harvey, Lead Councillor for Environment and City Management, said money left at the end of the last financial year had allowed them to refurbish two play towers at Anne Close.

“The towers were looking really tired and some of the timbers were rotting in places so the work that has been carried out makes them look a lot more inviting and much safer,” he added.

“Although children won’t be able to use the equipment for a while, it will be ready and waiting for when the social distancing restrictions are lifted and parents need somewhere for children to burn off some of that pent up energy,” said Cllr Harvey.

The Council has also carried out repair work to the fully-accessible King George V play area. Funding for this has come through Mencap, who provide a legacy grant to maintain the equipment.

The Council is now looking at opportunities to carry out similar refurbishments at other play areas across the city. Refurbishing the equipment is a relatively low cost way of extending the life of play equipment and also helps support local contractors during a time when a lot of business has dried up.