A LOCAL councillor is urging the council to start work on a neglected piece of land in Kingstone - after being left derelict for years.

At last week’s full council meeting, Coun Phil Wright asked when work will start to improve a piece of land off Broadway.

He says he has previously been reassured that the area will be improve - but nothing has been done to date.

He told the Chronicle: “Once upon a time, this corner of Broadway was an attractive, well cared for green space.

“Many years ago access was blocked off to stop caravans illegally setting up camp on the field.

“Since then, Barnsley Council has totally ignored it and let it get into the terrible state we see today.

“For well over a year I have been pushing for this space to be returned to its former glory.

“The council have stated that this now enlarged piece of land is classified as a public open space and last year said that work to improve this land would happen in the new financial year.

“Autumn will soon be upon us, and I am having to resort to questions at full council to try to get a time scale for when these improvements will actually take place.”

Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and transport, said: “At present the land does not belong to the council.

“The land was left over fromt he completion of the new school and it is proposed to be transferred over back to the council.”