Welsh council to spend £2.5m on refurbishing playgrounds

More than £2.5m will be invested to modernise and refurbish 16 children’s playgrounds across Neath Port Talbot in Wales. The investment, from Neath Port Talbot Council, will be used on facilities which have been identified as being in poor condition.

The council’s Neighbourhood Services Team, along with Play Sufficiency colleagues, commissioned an independent condition survey of all Neath Port Talbot playgrounds in April 2025.

Playgrounds were assessed based on their safety conditions, with 16 sites identified as requiring urgent attention and in need of refurbishment. Some sites could even face closure without required refurbishment work. The council is subject to statutory obligations under the Play Sufficiency Assessment (PSA), a legal requirement in Wales under the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010.

The authority’s Neighbourhood Services Section currently oversees the management of 48 playgrounds across the borough, supported by a dedicated and experienced team. Councillor Scott Jones, the council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, said: “The aim is to replace outdated playgrounds with modern, purpose-built spaces tailored to the needs of each community.

“Playgrounds are recognised as essential community resources promoting physical activity, social development and emotional wellbeing.