Published: October 25, 2012
Wet weather delays opening of new park in Burnham-On-Sea

A major project to transform a former waste landfill site into a new public park in Burnham-On-Sea has been completed - but the opening has been delayed by wet weather.

Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in 2009 that Sedgemoor District Council was spending £2.4m on clearing up the site, north of Wallace Wells Road, to create a new public space called Rosewood Green.

Work to construct the new park and children's playing area, pictured right, was completed on schedule last week.

Council bosses had hoped to open the new facilities during the next few days in readiness for the school half-term holidays.

However, council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Due to the appalling wet weather, the ground conditions on the recently-laid and turfed play area are currently waterlogged and any heavy use would damage the grass before it has had time to establish."

"The works were completed last week on schedule, but Sedgemoor District Council is being prudent as to when the park will be officially opened."

"The forecast next week is for unsettled conditions with heavy rain and the following week is also wet and windy."

"The site is being inspected on a regular basis to assess the condition of the grass and as soon as there is a relatively dry period, the new park will be opened."

During the project, the contractors have imported new top soil to cover the whole site, installed a network of new footpaths and cycleways, installed seating and litter bins, lighting, seeded a mini football pitch and lawn areas, planted shrubs and a wild flower meadow and installed the new children’s play area.

Pictured: Top, Cllr Bob Filmer, Doug Bamsey, Harley Cook and Cllr Jane Moreton holding the plans for the new park; centre, the new children's playing area; and, above, a map showing the park's location