New perimeter barriers have been installed at Gosford Way Recreation Ground to help protect the site from unauthorised vehicle access, following an unauthorised encampment earlier this year.
Felixstowe Town Council has invested in new perimeter barriers around Gosford Way Recreation Ground, providing an additional safeguard for the popular open space and helping to reduce the risk of future unauthorised vehicle access.
The works have been funded through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which provides funding for infrastructure and improvements arising from development in the local area.
The new barriers have been designed as a robust, long-term solution, with their construction intended to make them difficult to remove or tamper with. They will help protect the recreation ground while ensuring that it remains accessible for the community.
Importantly, pedestrian access to the recreation ground has not been restricted; meaning residents and visitors can continue to enter and enjoy the site.
The improvements follow the arrival of caravans and vehicles at Gosford Way in May. At the time, the Town Council worked with the Norfolk and Suffolk Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Service and other relevant partners to manage the situation and consider the appropriate response.
Whilst unauthorised encampments can require a range of legal and partnership measures depending on the circumstances, the Town Council also considers preventative measures to be an important part of responsible land management.
The new barriers are therefore intended to provide an additional layer of protection for Gosford Way Recreation Ground, helping to maintain the site as a safe and accessible recreational space for residents and visitors.
The Mayor of Felixstowe, Cllr Darren Aitchison, said:
“Gosford Way Recreation Ground is an important local open space and we want to ensure that it remains available for the community to enjoy. The new barriers provide a practical and lasting improvement to the site, while retaining pedestrian access.
“We are pleased to have been able to use Community Infrastructure Levy funding for this work, ensuring that development-related funding is being invested back into local infrastructure and community facilities.”