A POPULAR children's play area in Skipton's Aireville Park is due to close temporarily this month for essential repairs and ahead of a wider consultation on how people think the park could be improved for all.

The play area, close to Craven Leisure car park, was a joint project between the Friends of Aireville Park, and Craven District Council. both of which no longer exist. Craven Council went on April last year and the Friends group wound up towards the end of last year after spending years working on improvements to the park.

North Yorkshire councillor, David Noland, who represents Skipton North, welcomed the work by the council's parks and grounds team.

"The playground that The Friends of Aireville Park did so much brilliant work to fund-raise for and see installed in the park in 2019 is due to close for about a fortnight after February half term this year.

"It has been heavily used, which is brilliant, but the whole site needs some serious attention. The zip-wire, in particular, needs some serious work on it and that will take longer. The playground also needs to be more accessible to all.

He added: "The good news is that North Yorkshire Council’s Parks and Grounds team will be repairing the playground, ensuring that it is fully up to ROSPA standard.

"In the future it would be great if a new Friends of Aireville Park could be formed, perhaps with the help of Skipton Town Council to bring new ideas forward for the park and the playground.

"North Yorkshire Council will be consulting soon through its usual channels on what residents would like to see in the park, particularly with the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) which needs a total overhaul."

North Yorkshire Council’s head of parks and grounds, Jon Clubb, said: “There will be a temporary closure of the playground at Aireville Park for essential repairs and maintenance. It will close on Monday, February 19, and reopen by Friday, March 1, weather permitting.

“Over the coming months we will also be investing in the space by replacing and modernising the equipment.”

In addition, the council is planning to ask people's views on how the whole of Aireville Park can be improved.

Mr Clubb added: “The council is planning a consultation on improving the whole park, including the multi-use games area and how we stage events. We will be consulting with users later this year and more details will be revealed closer to the time.”