NEW play equipment for children is to be installed at Lawyers Field near Silver End in Brierley Hill after a successful push for funding.

Conservative ward councillors Adam Davies and Wayne Little have described the allocation of £55k funding from Dudley Council as a “huge leap forward” for their bid to bring play equipment back to the field for children and families to enjoy.

The site was once a popular play spot known for its tall slide, swings and even a paddling pool until all were removed some 40 years ago.

But thanks to the funding, the site – sometimes referred to as Silver End Park – will once again offer youngsters and families from the Silver End, Delph, Chapel Street Estate and wider Brierley Hill area somewhere local to play and enjoy the outdoors.

After lobbying for funding to rebuild a crumbling retaining wall on the edge of the field, allowing access to reopen from Church Street earlier this year, councillors Adam Davies and Wayne Little said residents in the area had told them how much they would like to see play equipment return to the site.

Cllr Davies said he and Cllr Little took the message back to the council he said of the news money had been allocated: “I’m absolutely over the moon we’ve actually managed to secure this investment which will benefit hundreds of local families and children – once again giving them somewhere local to play, use up some energy and enjoy being outdoors.”

Cllr Little added: “Now funding has been allocated, we’re asking local people what kind of play equipment they would like to see at the new play area. We’ll feed any suggestions back to the parks development team at the council, giving local people a chance to help shape the plans as much as possible.”

Resident Malcolm Hughes, who lives opposite Lawyers Field on Church Street, said he was pleased to see the work that has taken place so far and “very glad to hear the plans for what’s going to happen over the coming months”.

Councillor Damian Corfield, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for highways and environmental services in charge of parks, said: “As part of this year’s funding, I’ve picked five parks to invest the first third of our near £1 million extra investment in our parks and green spaces over the next three years. Our young people deserve quality play areas and Lawyers Field is one I’ve chosen to invest in brand new provision.”

The council is planning to put the work out for tender through August with the aim to get a contractor on site by the end of the year, Cllr Davies said.