Swindon Borough Council is 'due to sign off imminently' on plans for the long-awaited new play park at Coate Water. 

Tender for the construction of the new inclusive park went out in July with Swindon Borough Council saying in a Facebook post at the time that a contractor would be appointed within weeks and work would be due to start in September. 

Now, a month after that work was due to start, the council's cabinet member for heritage, leisure and town centre experience, Matty Courtliff, has revealed that there was a delay, but things should start moving now. 

Responding to a query on the Swindon Community Notice Board about the progress of the much-awaited play facility at the popular park, he said: "We had a slight delay with the tender process, but are now due to sign off imminently.

"It takes six to eight weeks for the contractor to mobilise and play equipment to be manufactured, so we’re looking at a November start date."

He then further apologised for not communicating the delay 'more proactively'.

"The local councillors, Jenny Jefferies and Lawrence Elliott have been pushing for this to be resolved and I’m sorry that I didn’t communicate the delay more proactively," he said. 

The council is using Section 106 developer contributions to deliver the park which is expected to cost around £400,000.

It has also worked closely with the local disability campaign group Mums on a Mission Swindon to ensure that the park is fully accessible to all children.

A range of specialist equipment is planned, including an accessible swing located near to blue badge parking, an accessible multi-play structure, and sensory play equipment, along with lots of other play equipment for all ages and abilities.

It will be built near to the car park, cafe and splash park. 

The old children’s play park at Coate Water was suffering from regular flooding and during the first lockdown in 2020 was dismantled and blocked off to the public.

It has now been turned into a garden of reflection where visitors can go to 'immerse themselves in nature'. 

Read More: Relaxing garden of reflection created in Coate Water

In January the cabinet member for heritage, leisure and town centre experience before Coun Courtliff took over, councillor Robert Jandy, said the play park and the recently refurbished diving board were just the beginning of the council's plans. 

"We also have plans to create new café facilities," he said.