PEOPLE power has enabled residents living around the Penleigh Recreation Park in Westbury to get a ‘wobbly’ path repaired after a two-year wait.

With help from Westbury town councillor Sheila Kimmins and Valletta Surfacing Ltd they have managed to resurface an uneven walkway connecting Hackney Way with Queens Road.

Cllr Sheila Kimmins contacted the local resurfacing company, which agreed to donate the labour and provide materials at cost so the work could be completed within budget.

At the same time, swings in the play park were repainted with help from local resident volunteers, two employees from Westbury Town Council, Sovereign Housing’s painting contractor, Novus Solutions; and Westbury Town Council’s landscaping contractor ID Verde.

The projects came about thanks to the Penleigh and Oldfield Park Community Action Network.

POPCAN has also been organising for two years to get the footpath, known locally as the ‘wobbly’ path, resurfaced.

As an informal pathway it wasn’t being maintained as a formal right of way and had gradually fallen into disrepair.

POPCAN secured £5,000 of funding last year from the Westbury Community Area Board, but this wasn’t enough to have the works carried out.

Cllr Gordon King, Chair of Westbury Community Area Board said, “We were delighted to be able to award the funds to enable POPCAN and others to restore the footpath and make it safe for people using the park.

“This project is a perfect example of how collaborative working between organisations - in this case Wiltshire Council, Westbury Town Council and POPCAN - can achieve brilliant outcomes for our communities.”

POPCAN member, Tina Devereux said “Having informal POPCAN meetings with councillors and other local partners gives us space as local residents to chat with them about the ideas we have for our community on our terms. We don’t need to attend formal meetings, which many of us wouldn’t do anyway.

“We’ve forged such strong links with our neighbours and have a great relationship with Westbury Town Council, Sovereign Housing, Westbury CE Junior School and Wiltshire Council, who all support us to move ahead with our ideas.”

Westbury Mayor, Cllr Mike Sutton, said: “The town is very grateful to POPCAN and all the others involved in having the interest and dedication to restore and improve the footpath.

“We’re also extremely grateful to Valetta Surfacing Ltd and our colleagues on the Area Board for providing the necessary funds.

“This project supports Westbury Town Council in its intent to upgrade and repair other play areas where necessary to the benefit of the local communities.”

POPCAN works closely with the local younger residents’ group, Team10, to ensure young people can have their say about the area too.

A town council spokeswoman said: “In the coming months, both groups will be working with Westbury Town Council to seek the community’s views on replacing an item of play equipment in Penleigh Play Park.”

If you live in the Penleigh and Oldfield Park area and would like to get involved with POPCAN, contact 07920 206246 or visit www.fb.com/SovereignWestburyTeam