Playgrounds scheme to escape cuts

Last week the coalition Government announced it would receive 377,655 of the 604,248 originally allocated under the Playbuilder scheme. Sheffield Council has now decided, however, to make up the shortfall out of its own budget.

Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, cabinet member for communities, said: "We know just how important these projects are to local communities and the friends of parks groups, who have been involved in drawing up the plans."

The playgrounds in question are at Hollinsend Park, Denholme Close, Stannington Park, Herdings Park, Fox Glen, Angram Bank, Chapeltown Park, Woolley Woods, Rivelin Valley, Lowfield, Burngreave Rec and Batemoor.

New play equipment will be installed at all of the 12 sites before April next year.

Last year new play equipment was put in at parks in Beaver Hill, Rolling Acres, Richmond Park, Charnock Rec, Fox Hill, Millhouses, Hillsborough, Darnall, Phillimore, Dorset St and Beechwood Road.