£50,000 pledge to drain playing fields

FLOODING nightmare . . . Churchill playing fields

Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership meeting

PLANS to carry out a drainage overhaul on the waterlogged Churchill playing fields were given a boost last night as the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership pledged to hand over £50,000 for the project.

It’s a promising step forward for the scheme, which aims to transform the flooded rugby and football pitches into a sporting venue for Saddleworth teams.

Meeting chairman Councillor Barbara Beeley, confirmed that the temporary drainage improvements, paid for by District Partnership funding, had been a success but said that a long-term plan was needed.

She said: “We have been over and over this issue for many years. I would like this time to make something happen.”

Councillor Beeley also confirmed that £93,000 of Section 106 funding would be ring-fenced by the council until match funding could be raised from external sources. She added: “We have got to do the whole thing, it is no use raising half the funds because then we would only be able to do half the field.”

The cash injection means that the total raised so far, including money put forward by local sporting clubs, will soon stand at £150,000. But a similar sum would need to raised if the estimated costs of £265,000 were to be met.

Talks with considered investors are already taking place.