Plans to revamp the neglected play facilities in Elstree have gone full steam ahead after Hertsmere Borough Council agreed to spend a further £10,510 on the project.

A total of £30,000 has already been allocated to move the current dilapidated play area in Sullivan Way to a safer and more convenient location behind the community centre in the same road.

But half of that cash would only be released by the council if steps were taken to improve the security of the community centre which in the past has been a target for vandals.

Now extra funds have been found to improve the security -- as well as create an access route to the playground -- so the whole improvement project can go ahead as planned.

Councillor Martin Heywood, who has been campaigning for better facilities for children living on the Musicians Estate, said spending money on the area was definitely money well-spent.

He said: "When we inherited this area from Harrow Council the playground was in a dilapidated state. But now the opportunity to improve it has come up it seems that it is only logical that we should move it from an area which is unfortunately near lots of houses, a bus stop and a fly-tipping area to right behind the community centre. Parents at the centre can keep and eye on their children in the playground."

"Of course the fact that we are relocating it means that we will have to take the current fence down and that leaves it open to vandalism. Therefore it is only right that we should spend around £10,000 on it to make it safe. It is a very good cause and it is being welcomed by the residents with open arms.

"This was the forgotten part of Hertsmere and now we can prove to residents that they are not forgotten."

The security measures the extra cash will be spent on include anti-climb paint and an anti-graffiti seal to the centre's roof and walls, security shutters to the windows and new steel bollards to replace the fence. The existing access to the new play area is currently very narrow and according to the council "does little to encourage the use of the site". Therefore, money will also be spent on creating a wider and more welcoming access route.

Families on the estate are feeling hopeful now that at last their children will have somewhere safe and close to home to play.

Mother-of-three Alison Abbott, who lives in Rogers Close and helps run Elstree Residents' Association, thought the cash release was excellent news.

She said: "It's fantastic to hear that the children living here will actually have somewhere safe to play without having to travel into Borehamwood like they have done for so long. It really will make such a difference to youngsters of all ages. Lets just hope that the council actually does make it happen now!"

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.