MEMBERS of Neath Port Talbot Council have agreed to spend more than £2.5m on refurbishing 16 local playgrounds that were found to be in a poor condition with concerns raised over their safety.
It comes after a report was given to council bosses at a cabinet meeting held on October 1, 2025, where officers told them of a survey which looked at the state of the borough’s playgrounds earlier in the year.
This survey highlighted there was a need for refurbishments to a number of Neath Port Talbot playgrounds due to “deteriorating conditions and safety concerns” at some of the sites in question.
It added that many of these would be in need of “significant repairs or full refurbishment” within the next 12 to 36 months and without the investment would risk closure on safety grounds.
Speaking at the meeting Cllr Simon Knoyle of Glynneath Central and East said the works were needed because of years of under-investment and lack of a strategic oversight from the previous administration.
He also suggested that some of the funding be drawn from a £2m underspend reported by the council in the 2024-25 financial year with a further recommendation to add an ongoing maintenance regime to the facilities as part of the budget setting process.
A council spokesman said: “The council’s neighbourhood services team, along with play sufficiency colleagues, commissioned an independent condition survey of all Neath Port Talbot playgrounds in April 2025.
“Playgrounds were assessed based on their safety conditions with 16 sites identified as requiring urgent attention and in need of refurbishment. Some sites could even face closure without required refurbishment work.”
Cllr Scott Jones, Neath Port Talbot Council’s cabinet member for streetscene, added: “The aim is to replace outdated playgrounds with
modern purpose-built spaces tailored to the needs of each community.
“Playgrounds are recognised as essential community resources promoting physical activity, social development, and emotional wellbeing.”
The authority currently oversees the management of 48 playgrounds across the county borough.
A total of £2,521,500 will now be allocated for the works which include playgrounds at Ynyscorrwg, Victoria Park, Sunny Crescent, Pen y Dre, and Baglan Park.
