Residents give thumbs up to regeneration plans for F-Pit Museum and Albany Park

Plans to enhance and develop the F-Pit Museum and Albany Park have been given the thumbs up from Sunderland residents following a public consultation.

The Grade II listed F-Pit Engine House is one of only 10 Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Sunderland and is an iconic landmark that showcases the important history of coal mining in the region.

Following the completion of essential repair works at the F-Pit Museum in February, Sunderland City Council asked residents and visitors to share their views on the next stage of the project through the 'Let's Talk F-Pit and Albany Park' public consultation.

The consultation received 128 responses, predominantly from Washington residents, which revealed strong support for the regeneration plans to improve the park and develop the museum with a new visitor centre and café.

Residents were particularly keen to see improvements to the natural environment and safety of Albany Park through more greenery and landscape features, as well as security measures such as CCTV, new lighting and addressing issues of anti-social behaviour including unauthorised access by motorbikes or quadbikes.

Facilities and activities for young people and families featured strongly in the responses, with residents suggesting a secure play park with a range of equipment, family fun days, craft-based activities, sports courts, a skate park, bicycle tracks and an affordable café and gift shop, with toilets and baby changing facilities.

Residents also felt that local people, particularly ex miners, should have a role in promoting the history of the site and wider Washington area through tours and talks about life working in the pit, mining communities, disasters and accidents, and significant local people and families of Washington. They also felt the heritage visitor centre should include physical artefacts and interactive displays for educational opportunities.

Cllr Linda Williams, cabinet member for vibrant city, who lives in the area and represents the Washington Central ward, said: "The F-Pit is an important landmark in Washington and we want to enhance its cultural offering in order for it to be a great place to visit for years to come.

"It's great to see so many residents are just as passionate about F-Pit and Albany Park as we are about protecting and improving the future of this fantastic site by regenerating the museum itself, as well as the surrounding park. I look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition."

Sunderland City Council will now begin developing the regeneration proposals taking into account the feedback from residents. There will be further opportunities for residents and businesses to help shape the proposals through consultation events over the next year, as more detailed plans begin to emerge.