JIM HUME AND JEREMY PURVIS WELCOME SCOTTISH BORDERS COUNCIL’S PLEGDE TO IMPROVE LANGLEE PLAY AREAS (Jim Hume)

JIM HUME AND JEREMY PURVIS WELCOME SCOTTISH BORDERS COUNCIL’S PLEGDE TO IMPROVE LANGLEE PLAY AREAS

August 21, 2007 12:00 AM

Jim Hume, Councillor for Galashiels & District and regional MSP for the South of Scotland, has today welcomed an assurance from Scottish Borders Council that improvements will be made to the play areas at Langlee in Galashiels which have been for some time been left in a state of disrepair.

Jim said:-

"I'm delighted that Langlee will soon have safe and decent play areas for the local kids.

"There was some question as to who was actually responsible for maintaining the play areas - either Scottish Borders Council or Scottish Borders Housing Association - but that has now been resolved and the Council has very helpfully agreed to make short term improvements to the existing play areas, and take on the responsibility for their future maintenance.

"The idea is that these short term measures will improve the current appearance of the play areas and I'm hoping to hold an open public meeting soon which will give residents and young folk alike the opportunity to tell the Council what they'd like for the long term.

The MSP continued:-

"I'm pleased to have been able to assist in this matter because it has been a recurring theme in my postbag and I'm sure residents, especially those with children, will be relieved to know that steps will soon be taken to provide proper facilities.

"There are currently four play areas, two of which are on very steep hills. These areas in the past simply consisted of slides which were built into the natural slope of the landscape and not particularly safe for kids as they were very close to the slabbed pavement.

"One important chance is that these two areas will be landscaped over with plants and shrubs, but most importantly, more money will consequently be available to spend on the remaining two play areas.

"This will give Langlee two great play areas for the youngsters and I look forward to seeing residents at my public meeting which I hope to have at the end of the month."