WORK is underway to give parks in Keighley and Shipley a facelift in time for the relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

Devonshire Park in Keighley and Northcliffe Park in Shipley will get new outdoor gym equipment while Keighley's Lund Park will get a new "trim trail."

The work is being timed to coincide with the continued lifting of lockdown restrictions in the coming weeks and months.

Work in both towns is being funded through the Towns Fund schemes - Government funding that could see each town get up to £25 million for various regeneration projects.

Last year it was announced that each town would get an additional £750,000 to carry out projects that could be delivered in the short term.

What projects are taking place in each town?

SHIPLEY

Work to install outdoor gym equipment in Northcliffe Park, Windy Hill Park, Windhill, and Hirst Wood Park are expected to be completed by the end of this month in time for the expected easing of lockdown later in spring.

Work on two tennis courts in Northcliffe Park is due to be finished next month.

In Hirst Wood Park there will be an exercise walking pathway, new football goals, "trim trail" and tree planting.

At Crowgill Park, which is already home to a skate park, there will be new football goals installed, a teen shelter and outdoor gym equipment - due to be installed by the end of April.

Shipley town centre set to be transformed in £1million project

A new walking route and tree planting will also soon be completed in Windy Hill park.

KEIGHLEY

Work to create outdoor gyms in Devonshire and Victoria parks is due to be completed by the end of the month.

Other work includes ongoing improvements to play areas at The Beeches, and at Thwaites Brow, due to start next week.

Work to provide a trim trail and improved signs at Lund Park will start on site by the end of this month and should be complete by the end of April.

Also due to be finished next month are improvements to the multi-use games area (MUGA) in Victoria Park and work to upgrade the Devonshire Park ball court area to a full MUGA.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “The past year has taught us how vital to us are our open spaces and green areas in every part of the district.

“As we hopefully come out of lockdown in the near future, everyone’s welfare depends on having access to fresh air, high quality parks and green spaces so we are really fortunate to be able to make these improvements.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “As soon as we were informed this grant was available, we made sure that we selected projects which would benefit a wide area and help as many people as possible.

“We were keen to spread the outcome of this investment as evenly as we could across the town, allowing a maximum number of residents to experience and enjoy the improvements.”