23/02/10 - Alex Williams: Conservatives announce cash boost for Longford Park

Deputy Leader of Trafford Council and Prospective Conservative MP for Stretford and Urmston, Alex Williams has welcomed the news of £150,000 of extra Council cash for improvements in Longford Park.
 
Agreed at a Council meeting on Wednesday, the money will be used to support delivery of the key components of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Park Masterplan, most notably its centrepiece - the refurbishment of the park pavilion building and its transformation into a cafe facility via a commercial operator (
 
In addition, further improvements are being funded through the following sources:
National Govt Playbuilder: £65k new Adventure Play Area
Big Lottery Fund 'People's Millions' competition - £50k for ornamental gardens restoration in conjunction with Stretford High School
Section 106 contributions - £175k to support key items from the Park Masterplan e.g. signage and interpretation, boundary treatments, Pet's Corner, drainage, sports facilities, historic landscape restoration
Highways support - certain rights of way and footpaths through parks are being surveyed, with the most urgent being tackled via Highways programme, which will include routes through Longford Park

Alex said:
 
"This news is welcome and demonstrates local Conservatives commitment to this important area of green space in Stretford. Council staff, local schoolchildren and and the Friends of Longford Park have worked so hard. I am looking forward to the massive improvements that this and other money will bring."
 
Local campaigned, Paul Lally added:
 
"This boost of cash will truly put Longford Park back on the map; making it once again a focus of interest for both local residents and visitors from outside the area. I am so pleased to see the Conservative authority's enthusiasm in this project and hope to help guide the plan in reaching its objectives."