Your councillors have been asked to give their opinion on whether it’s worth pushing forward attempts to get funding for a bridge across the Quaggy from Longhurst Road, creating a new entrance to Manor Park. While it is true that there is some opposition to the proposal, as far as we can tell the majority are still in favour as it is felt having access to and from this area of the park will increase the number of people using the park and add to the overall security of park users and nearby residents.

We’ve also suggested that opening a café or some other form of activity in the park would increase ‘passive supervision’ of the area (Pistachios, who run the café in Manor House Gardens, have offered to get involved in a partnership with local young people, which we think is a great idea).

We’ve also raised the issue of the closure of the park gates. Only one person is responsible for locking the gates of unmanned parks across the borough, and we think Manor Park needs proper control of the locking and unlocking of the gates to prevent it from falling into misuse once more.

Do let us know if you have any thoughts on the above - my details are here.

After a lengthy closure for refurbishment as part of the Quaggy flood alleviation works, Manor Park today re-opened to the public.

The park has been redesigned with new wetland areas, and wildflower meadows, and the play area has been updated and improved.

To cap it off, there’s a new sculpture, designed in consultation with local schools, which Paul, Sven and I were pleased to fund through the Lee Green Locality Fund.

The summer months give us a great opportunity to take advantage of our local park, and credit must go to the Quaggy Waterways Action Group, who lobbied and worked with the Environment Agency throughout the scheme.

Paul and I are pictured enjoying the new park and sculpture at the opening this morning.

Visiting the park:      All three of the old entrances to the park are open - on Manor Park (bottom of Northbrook Road), from Weardale Road, and at the bottom of Dermody Road.   Funding is being sought for a bridge to enable a new entrance from Longhurst Road