Mat's the word in Holme safety

16 July 2010

Utility bosses have gone all soft on kids in a south Lakes village.

 
Water company United Utilities has splashed out £10,000 on new cushioned matting at Holme's village play area - so that youngsters who take a tumble have the softest possible landing.
 
The donation to Holme Parish Council was a thank you to villagers for their patience during a recent lengthy scheme to improve the local wastewater treatment works.
 
United Utilities spent aroound 12 months on the £5m project to improve the quality of treated water returned by the plant to nearby Holme Beck.
 
Parish council chairman Medwin Sherriff said the donation had made the much-loved play area on North Road better than ever.
 
"We have had the play area for about ten years but it needed some refurbishment. Standards have changed over the years and the original bark chippings under our play equipment were no longer the best material. We were facing a big bill," he said.
 
With United Utilities' help the council was able to employ specialist contractors to install state-of-the-art surfacing made up of a combination of turf, plastic matting and rubber matting through which the grass will grow.
 
"It makes a very pleasing looking area that's safer and also reduces maintenance," said Councillor Sherriff.
 
Project manager Ahmad Saumtally said the company's work in Holme had been very important and involved extending the original site.
 
"This was a major change for the village and also an inconvenience to local people so it's only right that we put something back. As part of the scheme we pledged to support a local project nominated by the parish council. They chose the play area and it looks great," he said.