Didcot to have Ladygrove Loop turned into £440,000 fitness trail and recreation area (From The Oxford Times)

Didcot to have Ladygrove Loop turned into £440,000 fitness trail and recreation area

3:22pm Tuesday 30th June 2009 in

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FAMILIES in Ladygrove, Didcot, have welcomed a £440,000 scheme to transform a ‘green lung’ into a fitness trail and recreation area.

South Oxfordshire District Council said the area of land known as the Ladygrove Loop will soon feature specially designed outdoor gym equipment and two new play areas under plans to make it more attractive and fitness-friendly.

The 4km Loop, which runs through the centre and south of the estate, is used as a walking and cycling route, but councillors hope a £440,000 investment will help people get more from it.

John Cotton, the council’s cabinet member for Didcot, said: “Large parts of the current area are just grass, with little to help local people get the best from the space.”

He added: “From being a place that people just walk across on their way to somewhere else, the new Ladygrove Loop will become a destination in itself.”

Seven pieces of gym equipment, including a static cycle and rowing machine, will be placed at two fitness stations.

The play areas will be made from wood and other natural materials, and ten new seating areas along the route will be created.

Thousands of trees will be planted and cash spent improving the existing Ladygrove Park, signs, Ladygrove Lakes, and on creating two new feature gateways to mark the Tyne Avenue and Cow Lane entrances to Ladygrove.

Countryside officer Dominic Lamb said: “At the moment, it’s a green skeleton and we want to flesh it out and make it somewhere people can go to enjoy open space.

“We are really going to make it look like someone cares about it.

“The gym equipment is designed so any old lady or young family can use it, or anyone who wants to get fit. It’s a way of providing exercise equipment without having to go to a gym.”

He said all the equipment was designed to be used in hard urban areas where vandalism was a problem.

Peter Makin, 49, of Trent Road, said: “I can understand why the work is needed, but I’m not sure about the rowing machines and bikes because they might get vandalised. But I can see why they are trying to do it, to push for people to get fitter, that’s got to be beneficial.”

Hugh Boorman, of Trent Road, said: “Any investment in the estate is good, but I would still like to see more meeting space, either outside or indoors. I welcome this investment, but more is needed.”

Bill Service, leader of Didcot Town Council, said: “It’s a brilliant idea. Most of the estate is like a green desert, with close-mown grass, and improvements to the landscape are very much appreciated.”

Work is expected to begin on the year-long project early next year, subject to planning permission and approval from Didcot Town Council.