ONCE again we read (Review August 19) of a group of Berry Hill residents who are intent on improving the life of young people when local authorities have made promises, but failed to deliver in the past.

As a resident living in full view of the playing field, I hope they have more success with their plans than previous groups. We are fortunate in this area to have generally well-behaved young people who certainly deserve a better place to play than at present.

The last committee disbanded due to lack of cooperation from the council, who supposedly gave them a free hand but then would not allow the installation of equipment, or help with the costs of purchasing it, as promised.

Goal posts were erected by the committee which proved very popular, adding to the number of young people using the field. After complaints that the ball was landing on Hillcrest Road, instead of erecting a simple net to avoid this, in September 2006 the posts were removed.

In June 2007 I?met with Mark Harper MP to discuss my concerns, not only about the lack of equipment, but also the safety of children walking to the playing field.

I was hoping he might talk to the authorities with a view to installing some type of traffic calming in the two roads bordering it, but all it achieved was for him to supply me with the address of our parish clerk, which I already had, and tell me who owned the playing field.

In June 2008, local residents received a letter and site plan outlining proposed improvements to the play area and were asked to forward any comments before a meeting was arranged.

A meeting was held in August 2008 which was poorly attended and there was little response from those whose children would benefit from these improvements.

Although letters had been sent by me and a group of residents in reply to the proposals, the chairman appeared to have no knowledge of receiving them. This, then, did little to instill any confidence in the proceedings which followed.

There were a number of objections to the plans, with some residents appearing more concerned on any impact it may have on them, rather than the improvement to the users' leisure time.

At the end of the meeting we were informed that it would take some time before all the proposals were in place.

To this date only two things have happened – the goal posts have been reinstated, but without a safety net, and the only other piece of equipment, a bank of swings which were in constant use, have been removed.

I certainly hope the group of mothers in question achieve their aims, but would advise them to ensure they have the full backing of the parish council before spending time and money on the project.

There are two important aspects of safety that need to be pursued, that are outside the control of any local committee.

1: The boundary fence is rapidly disappearing, which does not stop children running into the road and allows vehicles to park inside.

2: Since the installation of traffic lights at Five Acres crossroads, the number of vehicles using Hillcrest Road has dramatically increased, along with the number driving in excess of the speed limit.

It appears that drivers would rather take a longer route than wait for a few minutes for them to change.

For some reason, Stagecoach buses travel to and from their depot near the rugby club by way of Chapel and Hillcrest Roads, which both have many cars parked along them.

The much shorter and clearer route along Park Road would reduce the amount of fuel used, cut down the amount of foul air we have to breathe and help to make it safer for all concerned, especially our young people.

I hope the local authorities will give their support to a very worthy and much needed project which will help young people have a much happier place to live.

– Charles Smith, Berry Hill.