ESTATE residents have hit out at delays to transform wasteland outside their homes into a £350,000 People's Park.

They claim that despite promises that a new play area in the neglected former Devonshire Road park would be ready in time for the school holidays, nothing has happened and children have been forced to play on Atherton's streets.

Arthur Westwood, who lives across from the Hag Fold site, said: "At the rate things are going the children will have left school before it is finished."

He said: "At the beginning of the year trees were uprooted, bushes removed and grass destroyed and a plan of the park was posted with a completion date of September-December, but so far nothing has been done and everything has grown again.

"A couple of months ago another notice was put up stating that there had been a delay, but all we have seen up to now is a man with a tape measure.

"The children used to play on the park but they can't use it now, it's a mess. When I moved here in the early 80s the park was lovely with tennis courts, crazy golf, bowls and swings then it started to deteriorate when the council decided they couldn't afford park keepers.

"We can't wait to see the finished result, but no-one seems to know what is happening."

Cllr Sue Loudon said: "I have been told that fencing will be going up in about three weeks time so that work can start.

"The problem is that we had consultations with the community, who decided on the new name The People's Park, and since then nothing has happened. The leisure department has been very slow.

"When work is finished there will be special areas for little children, those up to 11 and a kickabout area with picnic benches, a dug out area and improved lighting. It should be worth the wait."

A council spokesman said: "We are working with the local Atherton Building Communities Board to bring hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of improvements to the park and the final result will amount to the most comprehensive park refurbishment in the borough.

"Since the site was cleared in the spring there have been unavoidable delays due to staff shortages and negotiations about funding. We expect work to begin on the multi-play area in about four weeks time and fencing work is also imminent."