• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

North East Connected

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Work is underway on improved facilities at a popular Northumberland park.

Construction has started on a new toilet and office block at Ridley Park in Blyth to replace the old and outdated block which was demolished last year.

The £190,000 scheme, wholly funded by the County Council, is due for completion in May and will include fully accessible toilets and baby change facilities, as well as an adjacent office for the park maintenance staff.

Ridley Park was established in 1904 on land donated by Viscount Matthew White Ridley and offers a range of sporting activities, including tennis courts and bowls, as well as children’s play areas and a popular water feature.

The park is increasingly becoming a tourist attraction in its own right, having sustained the coveted ‘Green Flag’ status for several years and best overall park in the north east in both 2015 and 2016 as part of the Northumbria In-Bloom competition.

Ward councillor Eileen Cartie said: “It’s great that work is underway on new modern and clean toilet facilities for the park.

“The park is such a popular place, not just with local people but the thousands of visitors who come to the town every year.

The old and outdated toilet block didn’t complement the rest of the beautiful surroundings and I’m looking forward to seeing the work complete ahead of the summer.
Meanwhile, after the opening of the new changing pavilion at Broadway Playing Field in the town last year, improvements to the area are continuing with the demolition of the old and poor quality toilet block and the derelict changing room facility.

The new changing room building already provides fully accessible public toilet facilities to replace the old toilet block and the demolition work is planned to start on February 6.  Once the building is removed the site will be re-landscaped.