Caw park tangled in red tape but progress expected

Waterside DUP Alderman Drew Thompson says that whilst the multi-stage process of advancing a new play park for Nelson Drive has been tortuous and tangled with red tape he's hopeful shovels will be sunk in the ground before long.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Mar 2016, 11:26 BST

Mr Thompson says plans for the new park, which is being funded though the Social Investment Fund (SIF), are well-advanced. Nelson Drive will share in £1.75million in funding that’s been earmarked for the improvement of play facilities along with Ballyarnett, Ballymagroarty and the Daisyfield.

Said Mr Thompson: “The situation is this: there were four play parks in the programme for SIF. In February 2015 the two Junior Ministers were down at Caw and announced that the letter of offer had issued.

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“Now, two of the play parks, ourselves and Ballymagroarty, are at the design stage and Brandywell and Ballyarnett aren’t quite there yet.

“OFMDFM, as far as we’re aware are keen that the parks progress at the same time, so hopefully progress can be made.”

Mr Thompson indicated that the Caw Nelson Drive Park is all but shovel-ready.

“We’ll be having further meetings of the SIF committee and with the design team but it’s now just a matter of getting through the red tape and we’re ready to go.”

Efforts have been ongoing for a decade to secure funding for the improvement of existing provision at Nelson Drive, which has been described as unsuitable.

Related topics:Drew ThompsonDUP