A £32,000 project to revamp the children's playground at Westcott Recreation Ground has been completed.

The park was prioritised following an inspection that revealed rotting timber on some equipment, leading to health and safety concerns. The wood has now been replaced with metal.

The improvements include a 10m slide, a four-way see-saw, and zip wire.

Disability-friendly equipment has been installed, including a dish roundabout and basket swing.

Central South Swindon parish councillor John Firmin said: “It’s come out really great for both young and old kids to use. It will be safe and last a long time.

“It’s good they rebuilt the zip wire because it is popular with people. It just goes to show what a bit of care can do with new games too.

“When I have driven past, it’s been really busy and when it’s sunny all the parks in the area are full during the week.”

The area was partially closed for several months while work was carried out. Additional improvements were made to the toddler play area, which now has three new play panels.

Borough councillor Junab Ali said: “Residents and people not just from the area have been walking past use the park so they have been waiting for the refurb to be finished.

"People are really appreciative of the investment especially the children who are enjoying it."

He said: “From what we’ve been hearing everyone is really pleased especially with Covid and the restrictions people need somewhere to play so it’s really wonderful.

The park also suffered from flooding during the colder seasons so drainage has been improved to reduce this.

This is the twelfth play area refurbishment since 2017 when South Swindon Parish Council was first formed.

It now manages 21 playgrounds on its patch.

Coun Ali added: “Everytime it rained the park would have a flooding issue so they have sorted out the drainage so hopefully it will help.

"Now it’s the summer season, we wont know if this has achieved its goal so we will have to wait and see if it has worked.”

“We took over all the parks which were in a sorry state and most had dilapidated so for those reasons early on when we took them on we put a plan in place to invest in play areas.

“Also combine that with the restrictions, the park ensures people particularly adults too, have somewhere to go out and enjoy during this time. So it’s great now the park has fully reopened.”