FACILITIES in Malvern's Victoria Park are to be brought up to date in a programme of work costing almost £40,000.

Malvern Town Council has agreed to carry out the work needed to bring the park into line with recommendations made by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) nearly two years ago.

At their meeting on Monday (July 15), members of the council's environment and leisure committee voted unanimously to approve recommendations set out in a report by town clerk Shirley Young.

The recommendations include work highlighted by RoSPA and the commissioning of a further report to examine any problems that have appeared since the RoSPA inspection.

A Victoria Park working party is also to be set up to examine the area in more detail.

The 2000 report labelled the controversial skatepark area as "high risk", citing issues like inadequate fencing and a dog grid, which has proved a hazard to park users on wheels.

The report also said the fence around the football pitch is too close to the pitch itself, presenting a hazard to players.

Coun Brian Pilcher said the decision to remove the fence had already been made.

"I would like that to be a prioritised item to turn the park into something available for all again," he said.

Coun Pat Mewton objected to the immediate removal of the fence saying it would open a wider area for youths driving their cars on the land.

"Until we restrict vehicular access we cannot take down those fences or the youths will have another area to drive their cars on," he said.

The town clerk said she had received information on a type of gate which could restrict access to those intent on causing trouble, but still allow vehicle access for legitimate users. The work has been put out to tender.

"There's no reason why it couldn't go in really soon. It would seem appropriate to get this done as soon as possible," she said.

The council has a £25,000 provision in its 2002/2003 budget to carry out improvements in the park, as well as £8,000 left over from £19,000 earmarked for work on the grandstand and provision of boundary fencing.

The town council also has £6,500 and matched funding from Malvern Hills District Council to install a new fence around the skatepark. The new barrier could include the installation of a gate in place of the existing dog grid.