HUNDREDS of people in a Northumberland town have put their names to a call for improved leisure facilities – amid claims they are poor relations when compared to spending in neighbouring communities.
Residents and town councillors in Bedlington claim it has been starved of investment for decades, when many millions of pounds of public money has been pumped into projects in nearby Ashington, Blyth and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.
Their anger and frustration was heightened recently by news the county council plans to spend £20m on building a brand new sports and leisure centre in Ashington.
The announcement came as Bedlington’s only community centre, in Front Street, remains closed and under refurbishment, more than a year after it survived a threat of being shut down permanently to save money.
Now more than 400 people have signed a petition – hosted by West Bedlington Town Council – demanding answers from County Hall bosses on how leisure and sports provision is to be improved in the town.
The petition says Bedlington cannot continue to be treated as “pariah area” in south east Northumberland when it comes to funding and regeneration, and says the news of the investment in Ashington was very disappointing.
It says: “Yet again there has been under-investment and lack of funding in the Bedlington area which has existed for well over 30 years, and cannot be allowed to continue. We demand to be informed of what, if any, proposals exist to create leisure facilities in Bedlington, along with the timing of any such proposals.”
Yesterday town council chairman and mayor, Arthur Pegg, said the petition had been raised following pressure from local people. “They wanted to express their frustration because the impression of people here is that money is being spent in Newbiggin and Ashington to the detriment of Bedlington.
“I sympathise with their frustration and concerns, although they realise that money can’t be produced by magic at times like these. It was quite a surprise to see £20m promised for a leisure centre in Ashington.”
Coun Pegg said refurbishment work continues on the community centre – which was taken over by West Bedlington Town Council more than a year ago after being threatened with closure by the county council – and it is hoped to re-open it soon.
It has been closed since summer 2010. Four years ago Bedlington’s golf course was bought by the club members from the former Wansbeck District Council for £500,000.
Coun Pegg said £370,000 of the proceeds remained uncommitted, and could be available to help boost community sporting and leisure facilities. The petition will be discussed by the county council’s south east area committee next week.
A report by culture, leisure and tourism manager, Lynn Turner, says a recent meeting with stakeholders in Bedlington agreed a number of recommendations. These included working with local schools to improve leisure provision and setting up a group to examine outdoor recreation and develop a formal master plan for the town’s Gallagher Park sports ground. A follow-up meeting is planned next month to discuss progress and consider an integrated approach to leisure provision in Bedlington.
