Morpeth Common improvement works to get underway
06 Jul 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Improvement works to improve the ground at Morpeth Common are set to get underway this summer.
Morpeth Common is a popular spot with dog walkers, runners, footballers and rugby players, and an area covering a number of football pitches will be cordoned off during the works.
From August, fencing will be in place for around eight weeks while a layer of topsoil is removed, the ground aerated, new drainage put in place and the area reseeded with grass.
The site has been used as a park for well over 150 years and used as a rifle range for several decades. Historically there was a North British Railway line at the south of the site, known as the ‘Wansbeck Section’.
The work will be carried out by a specialist contractor on behalf of the council and the impact on the wider Common will be minimised.
A new natural path will also be installed as part of the work, linking the car park to the common and making access easier and safer for everyone.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, who represents Morpeth Kirkhill, said: “Morpeth Common is use for all kinds of recreation but these pitches are in a poor state. I am delighted this work will bring them back to a good standard so they can be better used and enjoyed for many more years to come.
“This part of the Common will be fenced off and we ask that people stay outside this area as works are carried out over late summer and autumn. This is to allow the reseeding of the pitches to take hold. The majority of the Common, which I know is highly valued by residents, remains available for dog walking and other pastimes.”
"I am hugely grateful to the Football Foundation and to Morpeth Town Juniorsand once complete this will be a great asset for our town."
The Football Foundation has provided £60,000 towards the £80,000 project, with the remainder coming from Morpeth Town Juniors.
Northumberland FA has worked with all the parties to pull together the project.
Its Head of Business Development Helen Beales said: “The common has long been used for leisure and sport, however the existing football pitches and wider land is currently in poor condition.
“This major project will vastly improve the condition of the ground and grass, making it much more useable – for our local grassroots football teams, Morpeth Rugby club and also for our wider community.”