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Bollards and new toilets planned for troubled park

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria
News imageLouise Hobson/BBC A metal sign reads Rossmere Park in white letters inside a black frame. A black metal fence with an open gate leading into the park can be seen beyond. Trees and thick foliage borders the path into the park.Louise Hobson/BBC
Plans were announced for Rossmere Park following reports of anti-social behaviour

Bollards and new toilets are planned for a troubled park dubbed a "no-go zone" by politicians and residents.

There had been "countless" reports of anti-social behaviour in Rossmere Park, Hartlepool, according to local councillor Tom Feeney. However, Hartlepool Community Safety Team said it had received "limited" information about issues and asked people to report incidents.

Hartlepool Borough Council has allocated government funding for improvements, including bollards near to the car park to stop unauthorised vehicles accessing to the main park.

The local authority said works would cost about £50,000 and would begin next month, with most due to be completed before April.

Footpaths around the park would be resurfaced, stones around the pond would be replaced and the three floating islands on the park pond would be secured into their original locations, the council said.

The existing toilets would also be replaced with "modern toilet facilities".

It would be funded through the government's £750,000 Pride in Place Impact Fund, the council said.

News imageLouise Hobson/BBC A park lake with plants growing in one island and trees growing over the water on the opposite bank. A large pole with a CCTV camera attached is on the opposite side of the water. Geese and small birds are floating on the water and sat on the concrete steps on the opposite bank.Louise Hobson/BBC
The playground in the park has been "repeatedly vandalised", according to residents

Councillor Rob Darby, chair of the Housing, Growth and Communities committee, said they also planned a campaign to help promote pride in the park.

"Following concerns raised by local people during the summer, we have listened to our residents and volunteers to develop a programme of investment," he said.

"Alongside the physical improvements, we are also committed to working with young people to develop a campaign which promotes pride in the park and encourages everyone to play their part in looking after this important community space."

News imageHartlepool Borough Council Beverley Mason, Rob Darby and Caroline Nicholson are standing side-by-side in front of the park's pond and are smiling brightly at the camera. Mason has red hair. Darby has short white hair and Nicholson's hair is tied back. There are lush green trees in the distance.Hartlepool Borough Council
Rossmere Park support group co-chairs Beverley Mason (left) and Caroline Nicholson welcomed the plans, along with councillor Rob Darby

Meanwhile, Beverley Mason, co-chair of the Rossmere Park Support Group, said they were "over the moon" at the plans.

She added the pond works would "make it a bit safer when you go closer to the pond".

The council said 32 projects would be funded by the £750,000 from year two of the Pride in Place Impact Fund, including replacing coastal railings at Seaton Carew and three new mobile CCTV cameras.

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