East Cambridgeshire District Council

Work is set to begin on improving three paths in and around the Country Park in Ely to allow people of all ages and physical ability to access the park.

The work, which will take about six weeks, is part of a number of works to develop the area in the park using money available from the Government's Housing Growth Fund.

The paths affected are:

* The section of Springhead Lane off Lisle Lane leading into the park. As well as laying an granite dust finish on the path to create an even surface, the drainage ditches in the area will be de-silted to improve the flow of streams in the area

* The Country Park loop. The existing path in the park will be expanded to form a loop around the play area and the People's Wood which was planted in 2010 and link with Cresswells Lane and Fishermans car parks.

* The third path to be improved is to resurface the public right of way from the river along to Kiln Lane on the Southern Flood Field

Access to the paths will be limited during the works with the Springhead Lane work likely to lead temporary closure of that route into the park.

Other work to be tackled over the next six weeks will include returfing and remodelling the hilltop slide, laying grass matting to improve the access to the maze and general tidying up of the park.

Dr Ian Mell, Green Infrastructure Development Officer, said: "The Country Park has proved to be a big success as residents from across the district have gone to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the area in between hopping on the zip-wire or climbing the rope mountain. In order to improve the access to the park, the next six weeks will see a lot of work taking place improving the paths in and around the park. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but we are sure everyone will understand the reasons behind the work.

"The aim of the Country Park is to be a place that everyone - no matter their age or physical abilities - can enjoy. To achieve this goal we need to improve the existing network of paths to ensure they don't become a muddy mess at the first hint of rain stopping children, the elderly and those with physical disabilities accessing the park. The work should be completed in early March ready for everyone to set off adventures in the spring."

The works on Springhead Lane and in the Southern Flood Field will commence on Monday 31 January.

ENDS

Notes for editors

For further information contact Tony Taylorson in the Communications Team on 01223 699285.