AN EXTRA £86,000 is to be spent on a play area by Newport City Council - bringing the total sum to more than £140,000 in a year.

The South Wales Argus previously reported in June that £59,085.63 had been spent on the Afon Village Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in Rogerstone this year, in an attempt to solve “noise problems”.

But now the council plans to spend an estimated £86,000 to try and fix the same issue.

This would mean a total of £145,058.63 will soon have been spent on the site.

The MUGA will now be temporarily closed for about two months in the new year for the works to start.

Dr Isolde Shore-Nye, who lives in Afon Village, expressed her shock.

“I think the community will be angry and shocked at the MUGA closing,” said Dr Shore-Nye.

“That’s a lot of money that’s been spent. I’m shocked.”

She added her frustration that new opening hours had been introduced.

She said: "It is cutting the amount of time children can use the site. That is not acceptable.

"And on a Sunday children need to be supervised."

Another resident, Rob Blake, said he was “angry” at the sum of money. “This is a ridiculous sum of money to be spent,” said Mr Blake. “Workers were only here a few months ago. I saw them repairing the fences to stop them from rattling. I just can’t get my head round the £86,000. Think of where else that money could have gone.”

Cllr Chris Evans, for Rogerstone added he was “taken aback” at the sum.

He said: “This appears to be a great deal of money, particularly when we’re told constantly there are limited funds. However I do understand the safety issues. I was taken aback when I saw the sum.

“The children use the MUGA. We should be encouraging them to keep using it.”

Cllr Debbie Harvey, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “Unfortunately, there have been a number of problems with this games area in recent years.

“We hoped the work carried out earlier this year would solve the issues but it has become clear that more needs to be done to alleviate the situation.

“I know that the MUGA is popular with many young people but it has also suffered from misuse.

“It was important to strike the right balance so the area can remain open and it is hoped the work as well as the new rules will mean it can continue to serve the community in the future.”

A spokeswoman from Gwent Police previously confirmed an incident in April, involving dog mess being thrown around at the site.

The new opening hours are as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 6pm; Wednesdays from 9am to 8pm; Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm which will also require people to book the site and be supervised.