Children's play area opens outside Nottingham Central Library

The area was previously a busy city centre road

An urban play area has opened outside Nottingham's new Central Library.

The space on Collin Street features specially designed swings, a play trail with timber stepping blocks, balancing walkways, seesaws and green planting.

The road has been pedestrianised as part of the regeneration of the Broad Marsh area, which also includes plans for an NHS diagnostic centre.

City council leader David Mellen said money for the play area came from the Transforming Cities Fund.

The library opened just a day before the council issues its 114 notice

He said: "This is also paying for the first part of the new Green Heart park which will run between here and Maid Marian Way.

"Yes, we've got further work to do with the main structure of the old shopping centre but it's great to make progress.

"I am delighted. There are lots of things not to be pleased about at the moment, so to come here and see children have a while of a time in a new facility for them and their families, its great."

The Central Library was opened in November, just a day before the labour run council issued a Section 114 notice, amid an in-year budget gap of £23m.