03 March 2006
The decline of parks, urban squares and nature reserves in England has largely been halted, the National Audit Office reported this week.
Initiatives led by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, including greater priority for investment and new sources of funding from government and the National Lottery, had enabled local authorities to refurbish many areas of green space, auditor general Sir John Bourn said.
But he warned: 'The provision of urban green space is still at risk of being treated as a Cinderella service. The case for expenditure needs to be made more effectively and resources targeted where they'll have most effect.'
PFmar2006
