Call for action over waterlogged pitches

Frustrated parents are calling for something to be done about the condition of the local playing fields, which are frequently waterlogged.

Scott Storey, whose two children play for Wilmslow football teams, contacted both Cheshire East Council and Wilmslow Town Council because parents and their children are becoming increasingly fed-up with the number of games that have to be cancelled at the Jim Evison playing fields on Altrincham Road.

He said "We've become very familiar with what can only be politely described as a huge frustration for many children and families who play and support events at the Jim Evison playing fields.

"Along with a great number of parents of children who play at this venue we're frequently having to relay the disappointment to our sports mad kids that this weekend's match has been once again cancelled through an unplayable pitch. It's become a weekly talking point for several seasons as parents check first whether this weekend's game is home or away. Invariably there is a sigh of relief if the answer is away as most, if not all our local league opposition have access to reliable playable pitches, be they traditional grass or 3 / 4 G artificial."

Scott added "Our league stretches from Wilmslow and surrounding villages over to Knutsford, across to Wythenshaw and out as far as Flixton. Should our game be at home we, as parents, all brace ourselves for what the weather forecast determines leading up to the weekend. Unfortunately, the Jim Evison playing fields suffer dreadfully from what appears to be drainage problems which despite all council efforts there seems to be no resolution to."

Town Clerk Matthew Jackson has been in touch with CEC and local councillor Ellie Brooks regarding the problems.

Speaking at the Town Council meeting on Monday, 15th January, he said "CEC are currently undergoing a project with Cheshire FA to try and improve a number of their facilities of this nature by the way they maintain them and they are clearly expressing a desire that they are given the opportunity to try to implement some of these ideas before we, or CEC in the first instance, go to the expense of significant drainage work or alternative pitches."

Councillor Don Stockton, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for environment, said: "The pitches have officially been closed by our grounds maintenance team on three separate occasions this season (2 and 3 December; 9 and 10 December; and 16 and 17 December). This has been a borough wide issue due to poor weather and not just specific to the Jim Evison Playing Fields. Any further pitch closures there have been made by the teams, due to their club's health and safety policies.

"The closure of pitches can be due to a variety of weather-related reasons, including precautionary measures to prevent excessive damage to a pitch or because of a risk the ground may be frozen and unsafe to play on. A closure notice, made in advance of games, helps players and supporters by providing clarity and preventing unnecessary travelling.

"With regards to maintenance standards, the council and Cheshire FA are working together to develop a programme for enhancing pitch quality across the borough through the progressive modernisation of maintenance practices. We anticipate that pitches will gradually improve as this work progresses."

Councillor Don Stockton added "With regard to section 106 agreements, planning obligations, in the form of section 106 agreements, are designed to mitigate specific impacts from individual developments. The contributions are usually carefully specified within a formal legal obligation – they are not a form of generic funding that can be applied far and wide.

"The council will consider any such request for funding – but it's important to appreciate the limitations that apply to the spending of section 106 contributions."

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Jim Evison Playing Fields