Council bosses are to build more than 20 children’s play areas in Shropshire this year at a cost of nearly £1.5 million, it was revealed today.

Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council have committed to constructing or upgrading 22 play areas across the county in 2011 after building 23 last year.

Telford & Wrekin Council said it had already spent £580,000 upgrading 11 borough play areas and had committed a further £562,000 in 2011 to build a further 13.

Shropshire Council says £898,000 is available to invest in 11 children’s play areas this year.

Both councils are using a Government grant called Playbuilder to finance the new play areas.

However, Playbuilder co- uld face the chop next year because of public spending cuts. More money for the projects will come from council coffers and parish councils who have been consulted on where to place the play areas.

Improving

Stephen Bentley, cabinet member for active lifestyles at Telford & Wrekin, said: “One of the council’s priorities is to promote active lifestyles to encourage residents to do more, enjoy more and feel better.

“We are also committed to improving the lives of every child and young person across the borough.

“One way of achieving this is to improve play parks so that every child, regardless of their background, has access to a free and properly equipped play area.

“The investment has been made possible with the support of the Playbuilder programme and parish councils.”

Steve Charmley, portfolio holder for culture and leisure services on Shropshire Council, said: “The playground projects provide a major investment for children and young people of Shropshire now and for future generations.

“It is vital that all children and young people have the chance to play.”

New play areas to be built in Telford this year include: Waters Upton; High Ercall; Wrockwardine Village; Gibbons Road, Wrockwardine Wood; Sutton Park, Sutton Hill; Crescent Road, Wellington; Cherry Tree Hill, Ironbridge; Wombridge Skate Bowl, Oakengates; Off Whimbrel Close, Leegomery; Dallamoor, Hollins- wood; Playing Fields, Hollinswood; First Avenue, Ketley; and in Malinslee.

Play areas to be built in Shropshire this year include: Condover; Elles- mere; Lydbury North; Newtown; Pontesbury; Prees; Sherriffhales; Stanton upon Hine Heath; Weston Under Redcastle; Whittington and Yockleton.