Honiton play area given £75,000 train themed face-lift

Cherry Close play area in Honiton has been given a £75,000 face-lift after a community consultation.

The new play area has a train theme, as it's next to the Waterloo line. It contains a climbing wall and curly slide, a cableway, trampoline, pretend train, toddler swings and more.

Honiton Littletown Primary School, Littletown Nursery and residents that live around Cherry Close were asked what activities they wanted in the play area. In addition the old and broken fencing has been replaced.

The most popular requests from the children and young people were sent to a number of play equipment suppliers, who competed to provide the best designs.

A good selection of great quality designs were received and, after seeing which designs best provided what the children and young people wanted, Proludic were appointed to manufacture and construct the play areas.

Cherry Close play area is one of two play areas recently refurbished by East Devon District Council, the other play area is Seafield Gardens in Seaton.

Councillor Cathy Gardner, Chair of East Devon District Council said: "Both the play areas look fantastic and I'm sure they will be enjoyed by children for many years to come. It's great that each one has a theme that fits in with the local area, Seafield Gardens with a dinosaur theme and Cherry Close with a train theme.

"I'm proud that I was able to officially open both these exciting play areas with their new lease of life."

Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council portfolio holder for Coast, Country and Environment said: "A big thank you to all the children and young people who got involved and had their say. I'm very pleased that we were able to commit to funding improvements to these play areas, which were both at the end of their lives.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the children and young people who helped design the play area enjoying it."

East Devon District Council Honiton St Michaels Ward Members councillor Luke Jeffrey, councillor Mike Allen and councillor Phil Twiss said: "This play area has long needed serious improvement and we are so pleased that the local families now have such a stimulating place to enjoy."