SECURITY is being ramped up at several open spaces, countryside sites and sports grounds across Colchester.

Last July, Colchester Council allocated funding to enhance the security of open spaces and help prevent unauthorised access which could pose a risk to the biodiversity and accessibility of these locations.

After completing an audit of 60 sites across the borough, site improvement works are now scheduled at 17 locations to make them more secure.

The improvements range from installing new height barriers to upgrading locks.

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Colchester Council’s communities boss Beverly Oxford said: “Our green spaces, in all shapes and sizes, have become increasingly significant and important to support residents’ physical and mental wellbeing during the Covid pandemic.

“It is important we keep our green spaces available for people to enjoy, whether for a short walk or to play sport.

“These 17 sites are the ones which need priority work, and further works will be picked up at other sites throughout the year on a rolling programme of general maintenance.”

The security improvement works have commenced and most will be complete by the end of March 2022, Colchester Council added.

The full list of sites include:

  • Tile House Farm 
  • Baden Powell Drive 
  • Chinook 
  • Cleavland Close 
  • Cleavland open space   
  • Kings Meadow 
  • Squirrels Field 
  • Fieldview Close 
  • High Woods Country Park Visitor Centre car park and entrance 
  • Bromley Road 
  • Sandpiper Close 
  • Oberon Close 
  • Sherbourne Road 
  • Isbourne Road 
  • Rosabelle car park 
  • Lexden King George Sports Ground 
  • Northern Gateway Sports Ground