GENEROUS clubs and businesses in Backwell have raised enough money to rebuild two badly damaged car parks in the village.

The car parks, which serve Backwell Playing Fields, are riddled with potholes and villagers have been desperate to carry out repairs at the amenities for two years.

Thanks to generous donations from clubs and businesses and match funding from Backwell Parish Council, Backwell Playing Fields charity could soon have enough money to start the work.

Michael Pratt, chairman of Backwell Playing Fields charity, said: “It’s good news for everyone who uses the car parks. They are potholed and unsafe. If it went on much longer we’d have to close one of them and that would be disastrous for our tenants.

“The contractors are going to dig down 15-20cm and take all the old material away and rebuild the car park.

“We’ve had generous donations from club members who use the playing fields. There have also been a range of small businesses who have donated to the cause.

“We will be putting two boards up in the car parks to acknowledge the names of those who have donated to the reconstruction.”

Last year Backwell Parish Council agreed to give the charity £21,000 over three years if members could raise the same amount.

The group has managed to raise £14,000 so far and members are hoping Backwell Parish Council will release the £14,000 allocated to the cause at a meeting tomorrow (Thurs).

If the money is released, the charity wants to begin work on the car park for the tennis and bowls club at the end of June, followed by the Rodney Road amenity during the first week in July.

The group is also hoping to replace the old gates at the West Town Road car park with a time controlled barrier.