Play areas selected for £153,000 improvements

Play areas in Melksham have been selected for an upgrade following a review by councillors at Melksham Town Council.

At an extraordinary Full Council meeting on 27th April, councillors unanimously approved plans to combine £53,000 left over from last year’s budget with £100,000 already set aside for 2026/27, creating a total fund of £153,000 for upgrades.

Building on recent play area tours and a report presented to members, councillors reviewed priorities across multiple sites and considered factors such as condition, ownership, delivery options, accessibility and potential grant funding.

Councillors agreed that play areas at Dunch Lane and Riverside would be the highest priority, with the council now set to move forward with putting the work out to tender.

Two other play parks will also see repairs, including fencing at Speedwell Close and targeted improvements at the Hazelwood play area.

The decision was made following a report presented to members at the meeting. Councillors reviewed priorities across multiple sites and considered factors such as condition, ownership, delivery options, accessibility and potential grant funding.

Chair of the amenities committee, Cllr Adrienne Westbrook, said, “I am absolutely delighted that Melksham Town Council unanimously decided to spend £150k on refurbishing the first tranche of our parks.

“Sadly, over the last few years, the parks have been allowed to deteriorate. Outdoor play is so important to the physical and mental development of young children, and I am thrilled that this generation of children in Melksham will have play areas that are fit for purpose.”

Officers will seek costings and ideas for improvements at the remaining play areas, with any unspent funds from the 2026/27 budget directed towards other sites across the town, subject to agreed proposals.

Pictured: Councillors at the Riverside play area