PLANS for a new “splash pad” at The Leys in Witney prove that people power really can make a difference.

The town council closed the popular paddling pool at the recreation ground earlier this year due to its poor condition.

Parents called on the council to come up with a replacement and a campaign group on Facebook has, in six months, got almost 2,000 “likes” from people in the area.

It is now down to these people to help make the splash pad happen, because without fundraising, the project will not be able to go ahead.

The designs are exciting and when revealed to the public last Friday at the Burwell Meadow fun day, people had only positive things to say about the ideas.

Many expressed their disappointment that it had not been open this summer and said they had instead travelled to other Oxfordshire towns to use water play facilities.

Creating the splash pad would allow people to enjoy something similar on their doorstep.

And if the plans for The Leys take shape over the next few years then it will remain a draw for the people of Witney for years to come.

The paddling pool’s closure was justified but the fact it has been so badly missed shows how much of a draw a replacement would be.

If this can be done so it can be used by children next summer, then the people of Witney, and especially the campaigners, can be proud of what they have achieved.