PRIMARY school playgrounds could see a funding boost of more than £19m following May’s council elections.

Glasgow’s SNP group has pledged to spend some of its budget on upgrading, repairing and improving facilities in playgrounds should they be elected in May.

The battle to take control of Glasgow City Council will be much contested, with Labour hoping to keep hold of the city for another term while the SNP hope this year will be its time to take over the country’s biggest local authority.

Councillors in the SNP have now pledged to spend millions on new play equipment for all 138 primary schools in the city, as well as restoring more than 100 playgrounds.

The party hopes by investing in recreational areas in schools it will help reduce accidents caused by trips and falls, and will provide a better environment for youngsters to play during and after class.

Langside SNP Councillor Anna Richardson spoke to a number of concerned teachers and parents about the issue before the party put forward an amendment in their budget proposals this year suggesting the investment.

Glasgow Times:

Langside SNP Councillor Anna Richardson

Along with plans for playgrounds, the SNP proposed to invest in more nurture classes for children who needed extra support in school.

Breakfast clubs would also be made free across all primary schools for all pupils, according to the party’s budget amendments pud forward last month.

Councillor Richardson claims the 4Rs programme, which was launched in Glasgow five years ago to help improve the quality and condition of teaching spaces, has not been completed.

She claims Labour have been “short-sighted” in its approach to the project and hopes the investment of £19m would help to improve facilities in schools “for years to come”.

Councillor Richardson said: “The 4Rs programme for Glasgow has been underway for five years.

“The budget has not been fully spent, after five years, and the job has not been completed as promised by Labour in 2012.

“An SNP City Government will complete the 4Rs programme and we will restore more than 100 primary playgrounds, with new play equipment in all 138 primaries.

“To have ignored playgrounds, and the significance of outdoor learning as part of the original project was short-sighted.

“We will also programme maintenance, to ensure the buildings stay in good condition and we do not find ourselves with schools that are unfit for purpose in years to come.

“It’s time for Glasgow to have a City Government that will deliver across the school estate.”