Park to provide green corridor linking two towns

Work has begun on landscaping, tree-planting, footpaths and seeding

A new public park is being created to provide a traffic-free route between two towns, with new footpaths, trees and wildflower meadows.

Work has begun on Elizabeth Park, a green space connecting Leamington Spa with Warwick, on the banks of the River Leam.

The land near Princes Drive is currently home to Edmondscote Athletics Track, which is being relocated.

Warwick District Council, developing the park with Homes England, said the first phase of work, to be completed by the end of the year, includes landscaping, installing new footpaths and tree-planting. Wildflower seeding takes place this autumn and spring.

Later stages will see the sports ground redesigned and access routes created to green spaces along the River Avon.

The land is home to Edmondscote Athletics Track, which is being relocated

Councillor Will Roberts said the scheme would provide a new public park and an attractive traffic-free route as part of an "ongoing commitment to enhancing green spaces across the district and improving accessibility for walking, cycling and sport".

Ragu Sittambalam, from Homes England, said creating the park "stands as one of our commitments having purchased the [Warwick District Council former headquarters] Riverside House site in 2024, which has now been demolished and will deliver new homes on previously developed land"

He said: "We hope that in time, Elizabeth Park will contribute to the wider green corridor connecting Warwick and Leamington Spa."

The council said planning consent for the park and the redevelopment of its former headquarters was granted this year.

Planning documents said the riverside site had an athletics track, pavilion and car park on one side, and a football pitch on the other.

The aim was to create a park with wetland, wildflower meadows, woodland, grassland for public use, a riverside path and an exercise trail and cycle track.

The council said the parkland would remain open throughout, with any disruption kept to a minimum.