MORE than 50 placard-waving children and their mums staged a rally in a Bury park over a prolonged delay to revamp a troubled £40,000 play area.

Tuesday’s action at Whitehead Park in Ainsworth Road co-incided with the announcement that work will resume next week and be finally finished by the end of July.

The popular children’s playground has virtually become a pile of rubble since it shut in March.

However, the revamp work was apparently suspended primarily due to the height of a large climbing frame which required Bury Council to carry out consultation with residents and play area users.

Earlier this month, mums attended an information meeting and were confident the problems had been resolved.

Mother-of-two Mrs Catherine Thorley, aged 37, of David Street, Bury, organised Tuesday’s rally which saw mums and their children gather at the play area site.

She said: “Last week, work recommenced but was short lived as workmen were again forced to down tools after another complaint was raised.

“Concerns and complaints about the height of some play equipment from some residents effectively halted the work while inquiries and proposals were put in place to reassure them.

“The rally was aimed at bringing the community together to get the play area open. It’s really been missed over the last few months.

“It’s brilliant that work is to resume. We want to let the council know we are in full support for their efforts to provide our children with this fantastic facility.”

Mother-of-two Joanne Nuttall, aged 28, of Scholes Street, Bury, said: “We used to go to Whitehead Park every night. It’s been very frustrating that we’ve been unable to use the play area for months. We’ve had to walk up to another park. I’m glad it’s going to be finished.”

Bury Council said work would restart on Monday. A spokesman added: “The timber climbing frame designed for children aged between six and 13 will remain.

“The height of any supporting poles shall not extend more than four metres and the colour will be changed to mid-brown.

“The existing traditional swings and slide will be reinstated and there will be three additional items of play equipment for younger children.

“All safety surfacing will be in rubber and gates will be provided to the play area as well as benches and bins.”