Claines Liberal Democrat Councillors Karen Holmes and Jessie Jagger have welcomed the safety resurfacing works underway this week at the Cornmeadow Lane play area, describing it as an important and long-awaited improvement. However, both councillors stressed that this work represents only the first stage of what local families were led to expect — and that further investment is urgently needed to complete the full upgrade.
The wider £65,000 scheme developed by officers included:
- modern, inclusive and age-appropriate play equipment (£30,000)
- new safety surfacing (£12,000)
- a long-requested dog-proof fence (£12,000)
- a safe pathway from the road into the play area (£5–7,000)
Only the resurfacing has been funded to date.
Cllr Karen Holmes said:
“It’s fantastic to see the resurfacing taking place — it’s a real improvement for children here and a sign of progress. But families have been asking for more than just safer ground. They want a proper dog fence, better access and modern equipment that meets the needs of children of all ages.
This week’s work is a step forward, but Claines should not have to settle for only part of the plan. We want to see the rest delivered.”
Cllr Jessie Jagger added:
“The resurfacing shows that Cornmeadow Lane is moving in the right direction, and I’m genuinely pleased to see it happening. But I still think of the young boy on Whinfield Road who told me the park was ‘for babies’. He asked for better swings, monkey bars and equipment for older children — and that’s still missing.
This work is welcome, but it cannot be the end point. The community deserves the full upgrade they were promised.”
Both councillors praised officers for securing and organising this week’s work but emphasised that officers can only deliver the wider improvements if the necessary funding is allocated.
In a joint statement, Cllrs Holmes and Jagger said:
“We’re delighted to see progress finally happening on the ground — but families in Claines know this is only the beginning. The resurfacing is valuable, yet it is just one part of a much bigger plan that would transform this park into the modern, welcoming space residents were told to expect.
We will continue pressing for the investment needed to complete the equipment, the fencing and the access improvements. Claines deserves a park that reflects the needs of its children — not a half-finished vision.”
