Play Area Co-Vid 19 Update


West Bedlington Town Council

Play Parks to Remain Closed Until Further Notice.

After careful consideration of the Government’s guidance relating to the re-opening of Play Areas the Council has regrettably decided NOT to open the play areas it manages at this time.

Government guidelines provided for the possible reopening of play area from Saturday 4 July 2020 and provided a set of guidelines that play area operators should look to implement to ensure the play area is Co-Vid 19 safe.

Some of the guidance recommended that play area operators should take measures including

  • Increased frequency of cleaning and sanitizing of all the play equipment
  • Provision of hand sanitising equipment
  • A booking system for users
  • Public toilet provision
  • A system to restrict the number of users at any one time
  • A system to restrict the amount of time each user can use the play equipment
  • The management of a queuing system
  • Establishment of a one way user system

We know that residents, and in particular families with young children, will be extremely disappointed not to have access to these facilities and we are extremely disappointed that we are (at this time) unable to ( in the Councils opinion) safely reopen our play areas.

However, we must all remember that the Coronavirus is still with us and consequently users must continue to “stay alert – control the virus – save lives” by remaining vigilant and adhere to the Government guidelines on Social Distancing. Including

  • Try to stay 2 meters apart (or at least 1 meter + mitigation)
  • not taking part in any type of unauthorised social gathering
  • washing your hands or using your own hand sanitiser before and after visiting play areas and other public places.
  • not visiting play areas and other public places if anyone in your family is unwell

Rest assured The Council will continue to carry out regular safety inspections of the equipment in its play areas to ensure they are safely maintained for any potential reopening in the future but importantly does not routinely cleanse / sanitise the equipment.

Councils across the country together with professional associations are currently making representations to the government to ask for easing or more practical ways to help smaller play areas safely reopen their play areas. 

The Town Council will continuously monitor the advice provided and work with other partners (particularly Northumberland County Council) to look to reopen our play areas as soon as is safely practicable.


Friday, July 3, 2020
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