WORK is underway on to makeover a popular North Somerset green space – meaning some areas will be closed to the public.

Grove Park, in Weston-Super-Mare, is being updated as part of a North Somerset Council (NSC) plan.

John West Contractors are carrying out the work, set to be completed by the end of the year, which includes:

• redesigning the park’s main entrance to include additional planting, new seating, installation of a sustainable draining system, re-surfacing and signage
• removing the existing public toilet block
• constructing a new public toilet block, to include an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities, back into the park near the café.

As a result, some pay and display parking bays in the Grove Park car park, in Grove Road, will also be suspended at times, though the car park will be open.

Signs and barriers will be installed when these closures are necessary.

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Councillor Mark Canniford, NSC cabinet member for sustainable places and service transformation, said: “It’s great to see the next stage of physical work starting on this project, which will help to draw more people from the town centre to enjoy this beautiful green space. In turn, we hope this will boost footfall and support increased trade in the town.

“It’s a key priority for the council to involve the local community in shaping plans. I was delighted that over 120 people attended the Grove Park Gathering event last summer and to see that those people’s comments fed the plans now being delivered.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused while the work is being carried out but we’re sure people will be very pleased with the improvements once complete.”

Jon Bass, director at John West Contractors, said: “We at John West Contractors are immensely proud of securing projects of this stature for North Somerset Council.

“We have a long and established affiliation with both local councils and seeing projects like this being awarded to Weston-super-Mare based contractors not only champions the local supply chain but benefits our directly-employed staff who live in and around the Weston area, and ensures continued enjoyment of the park for many years to come.”

People can find out more about the plans, including detailed drawings, by visiting n-somerset.gov.uk and searching planning reference 24/P/2162/R3.