‘Near misses’ see new rules put in place at popular Great Sankey park

Great Sankey Parish Council took to social media last week to praise the ‘significant improvements’ that have been made to Tim Parry Recreation Ground in the past few years.

The post, which was shared on Facebook, notes that more people have been visiting the park and enjoying the green space.

One of the noted improvements included the volunteer-run group, Friends of Tim Parry Park, who decided to open a refreshments room in Tim Parry Community Centre of Saturdays and Sundays.

The refreshments room opened for the first time in March (Image: Karen Schofield)

The group reinvest all of the proceeds made by the project back into the park in the hopes of improving the space for the community.

However, the post also shared that there have been reports of ‘near misses’ from vehicles driving down to the centre.

“Visitors to the park will know that we have a pedestrian path that runs through the Recreation Ground that can be accessed by vehicles for blue badge holders using the centre,” the post read.

“However, we have received several reports of ‘near misses’ with vehicles driving down to the centre who are not blue badge holders and children who are playing on the park.

“These reports have caused the council great concern and as a result we have decided to take action to protect the safety of children playing on the playground.”

A new sign has now been installed at the park notifying drivers that the path is prohibited to drivers, except for blue badge holders and deliveries.

A barrier gate has also been moved to the entrance of the path, which will be locked on weekends.

“We ask all visitors who use the park and community centre to park in the two car parks that are situated at either side of the Recreation Ground and walk to the centre,” the post continued.

“We would like to make all vehicle users aware that CCTV is in operation at the community centre.”