NEWPORT City Council has spent more than £59,000 on refurbishing a play area.

Some residents are angry that despite £59,085.63 being spent on the Afon Village Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in Rogerstone in January, to discover that further works were taking place to solve “noise problems”.

We previously reported that the MUGA – a Tarmacked enclosure housing a five-a-side football pitch and basketball court – was closed in early June without warning, according to residents.

An e-mail from the council to Councillor Chris Evans said: “The repairs undertaken appear to have reduced the noise levels back to where they were when the MUGA was handed over in January.

“Given the proximity to residents’ houses it is difficult to mitigate the sound impact completely.

“It is possible that the MUGA will be used by groups of people who are not using the MUGA as is intended and therefore it is possible for the brackets to become loose again.”

Some Rogerstone residents, including Rob Blake, are “shocked” at the sum of money.

Mr Blake said: “It’s still shut and I can’t get over the sum of money.

“It’s disgraceful that this big sum has been spent and there could be problems again and the MUGA is not open.

“£59,085 isn’t that far from £100,000.”

Dr Isolde Shore-Nye, who lives in Afon Village, said that she felt “frustrated”.

“I think it’s very frustrating,” said Dr Shore-Nye. “Because this money has been spent yet the community can not use it still.

“I feel that we still do not have the answers and have no idea when it will be re-opened.”

Cllr Chris Evans said he “hoped” to see the MUGA re-opened “quickly”.

He said: “There has been a lot of speculation about the MUGA and this is a lot of money which has been spent.

“Based on the answers given to me in the e-mail I see no reason why the MUGA should not be re-opened.

“Obviously I have empathy with anyone affected by the alleged noise.”

Cllr David Williams, for Graig, said he “also wanted” to see the play area re-opened.

“I’m surprised at the costs,” said Cllr Williams.

“I hope that the problems can be solved. I know it’s popular with people in the area.”

Cllr Yvonne Forsey added: “A meeting will be taking place tomorrow on the MUGA and I look forward to seeing a report. We need a solution that works for everyone.”

A spokeswoman for the council confirmed more than £59,000 had been spent on refurbishment to “industry-recognised design standards”.

She said: “However the use of the MUGA since the work in January means some brackets that hold the panels to the vertical posts had become loose creating a noise problem. The MUGA was closed while work was carried out and the council will consult with local residents about any proposals to regulate the opening hours.”