Members of Sandwell Council Cabinet were recently onsite to see the progress made in the council’s plan and strategy to improve its green spaces.
At Britannia Park they were able to see the progress against the £2.4m Towns Fund’s allocation for improvements. Work already completed in the park includes: Main Entrance Improvements; Car Park Improvements; New Pathway around the boundary of the site; New Pathway through Coppice and Tree Works. The Towns Fund programme funding was secured in 2022 and must be used by 2025/26.
Further improvements are scheduled:
- Changing Rooms – July 2024
- Children’s Play Area – December 2023
- New Skatepark – December 2023
- Allotment Extension – March 2024
- Football Pitch Drainage works – May 2024
- New Planting – March & November 2024
- New Street Furniture – March 2024
- Trim Trail – December 2023
£23,000 has also been invested in Warrens Hall Nature Reserve which has seen a series of improvements including: Footpath Restoration works; Tree Works; Vegetation Management; Improvements to Fishing Platforms; Replacement of fencing; General clearance work and Replacement of Wooden Bollards.
Councillor Charn Singh Padda, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism said: “It’s great to see all the improvements coming together to make our green spaces in Sandwell more welcoming both for local residents and for visitors from wider afield. Having access to a green space to meet up with friends, go for a walk or just relax is a real benefit for all our residents.”
And this not all that has been happening in Sandwell’s parks and green spaces.
Over the past year, Sandwell Council has invested more than £4m in parks, play areas, outdoor sports facilities and nature reserves, supported by a mix of council and external funding, with a further £4m already planned for this next year.
Works to date include:
- refurbishments and improvements to 41 play areas
- repairs and improvements to seven BMX and skate parks
- repairs and improvements to all outdoor gym equipment
Work included the installation of new play equipment, resurfacing of play areas, equipment repairs and landscaping. Improvements were also made to parks, green spaces and nature reserves.
Other developments have included:
- the new Sandwell Urban Bike Track in partnership with Sport England and Birmingham City Council
- securing £86,000 of Government Levelling Up funding for improvements to Black Patch Park, Smethwick
- a new pavilion at West Smethwick Park in partnership with National Lottery Heritage Fund
These improvements are just part of Sandwell’s plan and strategy to improve its green spaces in all locations, whether big or small.
Find out more about Sandwell's green spaces