The junior playground at Abbey Fields will close on weekdays from the end of February, Warwick District Council has confirmed.

The playground next to the pavilion will be shut Monday to Friday from Monday 24 February as works on the new swimming pools progress.

The closure - which will last around eight weeks - will allow for steelwork construction on site to start.

"This is to allow for the safe commencement of steelworks, the next important stage of the building work for the new Abbey Fields swimming facilities," a council statement said.

"During this period the junior playground will be open at weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) only.

"The footpath, older children's playground, bridge, public toilets and duck-feeding platform will remain fully open while this work is taking place.

"The council apologises for any inconvenience caused."

An artist's impression of the new Abbey Fields Swimming Pool (image via HS2)

Work on site in Abbey Fields resumed again in March 2024 after construction had ceased following the discovery of archaeological remains in 2022.

The construction - which is being managed by Kier - is now expected to take until the summer of 2026.

Amended planning permission for the project was secured at the end of 2023, with some small changes to the design approved.

A new £22 million price for the Abbey Fields Leisure Centre project has been agreed - a huge step up from the £8.5 million predicted in September 2021, and the £12.5 million contract signed the following year.