WORK to install new accessible play equipment and surfacing has begun at a Winchester playground.
Abbey Gardens Play Area is undergoing refurbishment in two phases, with the hope the playground will be ready to re-open in time for the Easter Holidays in April.
Phase two, including installing the new play equipment and surfacing, began on Monday, February 13 with a parking suspension in place in Colebrook Street until March 24 while the works are carried out.
The paths have already been upgraded to improve access into and around the area under phase one. Contractors also replaced the wooden planter with a brick one to improve its lifespan.
READ MORE: Winchester City Council reveal design for inclusive play area
The play area has been closed since Monday, September 5 for its re-design, following public consultations in the summer on what users would like to see changed.
Abbey Gardens will remain closed while phase two is carried out by the contractors Kompan UK. Much of the new play equipment, including the swings, train and roundabout, is designed to be accessible to children with a wide range of abilities and disabilities.
Following criticism that the plan wasn’t accessible enough, public consultations leader Cllr Charles Radcliffe said: “Will the new play area satisfy everyone? Almost certainly not. But bearing in mind the limitations of space and budget, and the need to cater to a diversity of needs and expectations, it will undoubtedly be a big improvement on what was there before and set a new standard locally for accessibility.
SEE ALSO: Letter: Abbey Gardens play area plans
“Abbey Gardens play area refurbishment is just the first of nine play area upgrades planned in the town area in the coming years, meaning there will be plenty of opportunities to learn lessons and apply these to future play area schemes.”
A spokesperson for Winchester City Council said: "All being well, and barring some extreme weather event, works should be completed by the end of March in time for the Easter school holidays. In this case, the parking suspension in Colebrook Street will not need to be extended."
A few tweaks have been made to the design since the plan was published to improve access to the swings and roundabout. The swing design is new to the supplier and therefor likely to be installed in April after the play area has reopened.
The playground will have been closed for seven months in total by April. By carrying out the work in Autumn and Winter the council hopes disruption has been minimised.
In the meantime, playground users have been recommended other local areas such as Friary Gardens (SO23 9JF) a 10-minute walk and Orams Arbour (SO22 5BU) a 16-minute walk from Abbey Gardens.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here