Councillor’s Concern Over Delph Playground

Part of the Swan Meadow playground in Delph. (picture: Ken Hulme)

A member of Saddleworth Parish Council has expressed concern about the state of the newly-opened Swan Meadow playground in Delph. Ken Hulme, an independent councillor who is based in the village, has said a broken sewage pipe nearby is causing a health hazard, and is also worried about vandalism at the site.

The play area is near the High Street on Holland Close. It was officially opened last month, one of 22 playgrounds across the borough of Oldham which have been built or refurbished using £1.2m of government money.

However, Cllr Hulme has said the play area has been “beset with problems” since it was opened. He blames vandalism for damage to the playground’s zip wire, adding that groups of young people have been gathering at the play area sometimes into the early hours.

He said: “While I welcome more and better facilities for our young people I do think we have to plan to cope with  misuse of this sort of facility.” Cllr Hulme added that he felt projects such as Swan Meadow and the changes at Dove Stone Reservoir needed a better “security strategy” and he also criticised the impact of “cheap supermarket booze” on some young people.

Cllr Hulme has written to Oldham Council outlining his concerns.

(Editor’s note: With it being a bank holiday, nobody from the council is available to comment today. If Saddleworth News gets a response later in the week, I’ll update this story accordingly.)

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!