Work has begun on a wide range of improvements at a city park, including a new playground, fitness area, wildflower meadow and a multi-use games area.

City of Wolverhampton Council and developers JP Landscapes & Construction Ltd have begun the transformation work at Northwood Park in Bushbury.

The work is taking place after the council consulted with residents and children's groups. Improvements include the replacement of existing play equipment as well as the creation of a new multi-use games area (Muga).

The play area will include inclusive equipment designed to be used by children with restricted mobility, including swings, a seesaw and roundabout. There will also be seated springer rides, climbing equipment with slides and a springy surfboard.

The new Muga will be built next to the park’s existing skate park and basketball pitch, providing a high-quality, all-weather area for football, cricket and other ball games.

Other improvements include a fitness area towards the centre of the park, new fencing, new seats and litter bins, creation of a wildflower meadow and planting of 40 trees. A new paved path on the north-eastern corner of the park will also improve access and cater for activities such as dog walking.

The work is being funded under a Section 106 Planning Agreement which relates to the new Hampton Park development on land at the former Northicote School, near to the park. The development includes 178 new homes and is named after the school's former head teacher, Sir Geoff Hampton.

Work will take place over the coming weeks and residents are advised that some areas of the park will not be accessible on a temporary basis while the improvements are being made.

Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for resident services, said: “How exciting to see that work has started at Northwood Park.

“We’ve got a wide range of improvements planned with exciting new play equipment and a new multi-use games area. We’re also spreading out the revamp with a fitness area and a real spruce up of the rest of the park.

“We’ve made sure that the views that were put forward in the consultation have been taken into account, and we’d like to thank people for sharing their thoughts. We’re really looking forward to delivering this great range of new attractions and refurbishments for local people to enjoy.”