Workington picnic area bid sparks fears of ‘undesirables’
Last updated at 07:10, Friday, 30 July 2010
MORE Workington residents have voiced their opposition to plans to turn a hard-standing area near Barker Crossing into a permanent car park and picnic area.
Allerdale council came up with the plans as an alternative to reinstating the field once the temporary footbridge over the River Derwent is removed.
But a show of hands at Derwent Valley neighbourhood forum suggested that most people wanted the field to be reinstated once the footbridge is removed later this year.
The picnic area plan would involve funds, which would have been used to rip up the site, being redirected to pay for landscaping work and possibly a plaque commemorating the floods.
John Ardron, Allerdale and Seaton councillor, said: “It would be good for disabled people but I don’t know about having a picnic in a car park.”
Seaton parish councillor Kate Birkett added: “If you make it into a picnic area it will have some benefit to the general public.
“But if you make it into a car park it will benefit police employees.
“The geology of the ground also needs to be considered.”
Several residents said they feared that a picnic area and car park could become a haven for “undesirable elements.”
The comments were similar to those made at a Workington neighbourhood forum earlier this month.
Heather Snodden, county council community worker, said: “People have rediscovered Hall Park and Mill Field since the flood and the opening of Barker Crossing.
“They would like to see a Friends of Mill Field community group that would work alongside the civic trust and Allerdale to look after the park better.”
First published at 19:27, Thursday, 29 July 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
I hope the plans do not go into force for a picnic area as it may be not fit for purpose like the footpath in mill field.
Several times I tried to walk on the hard surface and had to divert off it, as it was flooded. LAST time was on the morning of 29/7/2010
Have your say
What has happend with my first comment ???
If the area is like the footpath in mill field it would not fit for purpose.As on the 29/7/2010 I could not use it as it was flooded and I do not go walking with wellingtons on suposed hard paths.The area is certain to be a mess as parking cannot be cotrold properly in town. A parking time limit will not be enforced by eg.the enforcement of tempary restrictions from the FLOOD in NOV.that were and now not being POLICED.Posted by a yeoman on 31 July 2010 at 08:40