Improvements and new equipment at play areas across borough of Great Yarmouth

The works are being paid for by funding received from property developers - known as Section 106 payments - as well as council capital funding agreed by councillors.

The improvements are all scheduled to be complete by the end of September and are being carried out by Sutcliffe Play Ltd, Wicksteed, Playdale and The Great Outdoor Gym Company.

The work includes schemes at Pier Plain Play Area, Magdalen Square and Lichfield Road Play Areas in Great Yarmouth and the Marine Parade Play Area on Gorleston Cliffs which have all had some new equipment installed and feature new signage and painting.

Blackfriars Road Play Area in Great Yarmouth, next to the historic town wall and Time and Tide Museum, is being revamped and will be re-opened in late July with a range of new equipment. The play area unfortunately had to be temporarily closed due to the condition and age of the equipment while the tendering processes were being carried out.

The Mia-Lucy Rose Trim Trail on Gorleston Cliffs is undergoing a refurbishment with a range of new equipment being installed as well as a new path. The memorial trim trail was originally installed to commemorate the town's Mia-Lucy Rose who died in a tragic river accident in Southeast Asia in 2004.

Her family set up a trust fund to provide a memorial trim trail on Gorleston Cliffs which has become a regularly used fitness facility. Some of the original equipment had to be removed due to its condition and remaining equipment was steadily deteriorating.

Beaconsfield Road Play Area in Great Yarmouth will see some additional new inclusive and infant play equipment and a new access path.

The fitness area at theAdizone Area Mill Lane Recreation Ground in Bradwell is also due a major refurbishment. Work will be carried out by The Great Outdoor Gym Company - which has been nominated by the University of East Anglia for The Earthshot Prize 2024.

The company is using local steel, fabricators and installers to reduce the carbon footprint of the works. The fitness area was originally installed as a legacy of the 2012 London Olympics that provided a multi-purpose sports and exercise facility with outdoor gym equipment, kickabout area, basketball court and climbing wall.

Currently closed due to the poor condition of the surfacing, work is to start later this month.

Councillor Graham Plant, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Operational Property and Asset Management, said: ''We are delighted to be able to deliver such a broad range of improvements to our play areas.

''We know how valuable and well used these facilities are and this programme of work will make a meaningful difference to our communities across the borough. We always look to upgrade play areas with new equipment when we can, and we know this significant investment with some imaginative and creative new additions will mean a lot to our residents.

"Hopefully any inconvenience caused while these important improvements are being carried out will be minimal and we look forward to all the new equipment being available to use as soon as possible."