A new splash park for children at Coate Water should be opened ‘in time for summer’ according to Swindon Borough Council

The authority has released some artists’ impressions of how the new play facility in the popular visitor attraction.

And on its social media pages the authority said: “The new £475,000 splash park will include a paddling pool, water features and games.”

The council says the design of the new park has been informed by feedback from those who might use the park  following a survey and focus group held last year.

It is designed to be fully accessible with the use of flat surfaces and a slope to get into the paddling pool to allow wheelchair access, rumble strips, handrails, and interactive elements located outside of the wet zones.

Councillor Chris Watts, the cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: “I’m very happy to see work on the new splash park get underway.

“We knew the old offering was outdated and in need of significant repair so the best option was to demolish it and build a brand-new facility for the people of Swindon.

“This new area will be fully accessible and we want to get it open in time for the summer holidays so families can take full advantage of the, hopefully, nice weather.”

The drawing show a large slightly sloped expanse of ground, with the deeper paddling pool at one end. Throughout the splash zone will be sited different toys for children to play with water, showers and tipping buckets and squirting water ‘guns’.

The splash park has been closed since the start of July last year. It was closed then for maintenance, but the council announced that the facility was not fit for purpose and could no longer be kept open.

Last year a revamped play park opened at Coate Water - just yards from the new splash park - at the cost of £500,000.