Listen Live
Sunrise Gold

City’s playgrounds will not reopen until safety measures in place

Saturday, 18 July 2020 at 19:40

Sheffield City Council is working very hard to reopen some playgrounds and hopes to be able to do so soon, but it is important that government guidelines are met to help reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Cleaning regimes are currently being reviewed along with signage, to support the people of Sheffield to use facilities as safely as they can. 

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure at Sheffield City Council, said: “I understand some residents may find these delays frustrating, but public and staff safety remains our priority. Our role is to protect and prevent and we are not prepared to compromise on this. 

“We are continuing to monitor government guidelines and we will let people know as soon as we are able to open any of our sites. When we do, we will make sure that play facilities are available to people in all areas of the city. 

“In the meantime we ask everyone not to visit playgrounds or use any of the equipment. Our parks service are not carrying out regular site checks nor is any cleaning taking place. 

“We are very grateful that the children of Sheffield and their parents, family and carers are being patient whilst we undertake all the necessary work and must ask for your patience for a little longer.”

3 July 2020

Sheffield City Council will not reopen any of the city’s 154 playgrounds on 4 July, but is working to reopen a small number once confident that safety measures are robust and in place.

Following the Government’s announcement that playgrounds and outdoor gyms can reopen from 4 July, the council’s parks and countryside service has been working through the challenges to enable reopening safely.

Outdoor play or gym equipment is usually available to the public in more than 150 open spaces in Sheffield but these were closed in line with Government restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Working with Sheffield’s Public Health Team, the council will not be in a position to open any playground or outdoor gym equipment from 4 July but hopes to be able to open a small number, in different locations across the city, as soon as possible.

Councillor Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Leisure at Sheffield City Council, said: “We’re working as quickly as possible to enable the reopening of some playgrounds and outdoor equipment. We fully acknowledge that the restrictions in place have had a huge impact on mental and physical wellbeing and I know how difficult the last three months have been for families and those with no access to physical activity equipment.

“For those reasons we want to allow residents to start using our outdoor equipment again, but we must put safety first. We are confident that we can bring in the necessary safety measures to support the use of our playgrounds, but managing this will not be easy, so reopening will be phased. Locations will be opened at sites that allow for social distancing first and foremost, and to make sure people in all areas of the city can access the facilities.

“At this stage I must ask everyone to refrain from using outdoor equipment and playgrounds but be reassured that we are doing everything we can to ensure these areas can open as soon as they are completely safe. We are grateful for your patience and will provide an update as soon as possible.”

Public toilets in parks also remain closed, but along with other facilities, reopening is under review to establish how this can be done safely.

Share

More from Local and National News

  • Man Charged After Islington Shopping Centre Stabbing as Police Hunt Gunman

    A 36-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder following a stabbing at Angel Central shopping centre in Islington, where two other men were shot during the same incident. One shooting victim suffered life-changing injuries, while police continue searching for the gunman.

  • Two More Arrested in £1 Million University of Greater Manchester Fraud Investigation

    Greater Manchester Police have arrested two more men as part of a major investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the University of Greater Manchester. Detectives are examining suspected fraudulent activity worth more than £1 million, involving approximately 60 transactions and over a million emails.

  • Bradford Florist Burgled Just Weeks After New Owner Takes Over

    A florist in Wibsey, Bradford, has been targeted by a burglar just weeks after its new owner took over the business. Scentiments, on St Enoch's Road, suffered a smashed window and damage to its till during the early-hours break-in. Police are investigating and have collected evidence from the scene.

  • Bradford Woman Jailed for 10 Years Over Fatal 143mph Lamborghini Crash

    A 26-year-old Bradford woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after causing the death of her 20-year-old passenger in a high-speed crash on the M62. Humaira Batool reached speeds of up to 143mph in a hired Lamborghini Urus before losing control in wet conditions, killing Mohammed Shaan Hussain.

  • West London Homes Cracking as Residents Blame HS2 Tunnelling

    Residents near Queen's Park station in West London say their homes are developing serious cracks and suffering subsidence following HS2 tunnelling work. Emergency scaffolding has been installed at one property, with some residents relocated. HS2 says ground movement from tunnelling has been small and that unusually dry weather may be contributing to the damage.

  • Man Seriously Injured in Uxbridge Bus Attack

    A 51-year-old man has suffered potentially life-changing injuries following a serious assault on a bus in Uxbridge, West London. Police are investigating the incident, which happened on Belmont Road on Monday afternoon, and are appealing for witnesses.

  • Two Charged Over Historical Child Abuse in Bradford

    A man and woman, both aged 68, have been charged following an investigation into historical child sexual abuse in Bradford. The allegations relate to offences involving a 14-year-old girl in the Thorpe Edge area during the late 1970s.

  • Man Convicted of Rape in Leeds Hyde Park Area

    A 36-year-old man has been found guilty of raping a woman in the Hyde Park area of Leeds. Uvesh Vahora was convicted following a trial at Leeds Crown Court and has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 11 November.

  • Over Half of London Women Feel Unsafe Exercising After Dark

    New research from the This Girl Can campaign reveals that 54 per cent of women in London feel unsafe exercising outdoors alone after dark. Concerns about harassment and intimidation are forcing many women to change their fitness routines, with a London running club planning additional group sessions to help women exercise safely during winter.

  • Woman Fighting for Life After Bradford Stabbing

    A 40-year-old woman has been left with life-threatening injuries following a stabbing in Buttershaw, Bradford. A 42-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon as police investigate two linked scenes.

  • Lamborghini Crash Driver Arrested at Hospital After Missing Sentencing

    A Bradford woman convicted of causing her friend's death in a 140mph Lamborghini crash on the M62 has been arrested at hospital after failing to attend her sentencing hearing. Humaira Batool, 26, has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced today (3 November).

  • Six Men with London Links Feature on NCA Most Wanted List

    Six men with connections to London feature on the National Crime Agency's most wanted list, including suspects linked to major drug trafficking investigations, alleged holiday fraud and money laundering. The NCA is appealing for information to help locate those wanted in connection with the investigations.

On Air Now Bollywood Mix 1:00am - 4:00am

Listener Club

Get more with the Listener Club!

  • The Golden Era The Golden Era

    The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm

  • Remix Saturdays Remix Saturdays

    Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm

  • Legal Show Legal Show

    Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.

  • Bhangra Nights Bhangra Nights

    Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm