Accessibility and equipment upgrade for playpark

Shaw Ridge playground in west Swindon will be upgraded for better accessibility

A popular town playpark is being replaced with a new 'state of the art' play area.

Shaw Ridge playground in west Swindon, which sits on a steep slope, will be moved to another location in the same area and upgraded to have better accessibility.

Plans for the new park include flatter ground and installing a zip wire, fort towers with slides and a 'spiders-web' climbing frame.

West Swindon Parish Council said it appreciates the hard work volunteers have carried out over the years to nurture biodiversity at Shaw Ridge and promised to create a brand-new meadow adjacent to the site.

"From an environmental perspective, we estimate around two thirds of the current meadow will remain undisturbed," a council spokesperson said.

"The new play park will only take up approximately a third of the site, tucked into the corner.

"There will be no loss of shrubs or trees.

"Those who have helped grow the wildflowers have always had our support. That remains. We will help with the continued care for the remaining meadow – untouched by the play park – as well as assisting with the development and maintenance of the new larger meadow."

The new facility will be "ready for west Swindon families to enjoy" by the autumn.