St George’s Park in Great Yarmouth is being transformed as part of the council’s Cleaner, Safer, Greener Communities Initiative.

Cllr Jim Shrimplin, chair of the initiative, said: “Work getting underway on the St George’s Park improvements is part of a larger vision for an improved green link between the sea and river. It represents a major investment in the regeneration of the town which will be of particular benefit to our residents.”

The new park layout will feature a central performance area complete with new street furniture and up-lighted trees.

The existing children’s play zone will be updated at the end of the summer holidays and will include a multi-coloured, rubber matting surface showing an image designed by a local child.

In addition to Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s £2.1m award to the park scheme, Norfolk County Council has contributed a further £415,000 for highway, cycle and footway improvements.

Environmental service manager Simon Mutten said: “St George’s will provide a safer and more attractive open space for residents and visitors to enjoy with pathways linking the two green areas on either side of Trafalgar Road.

“We want pedestrians and cyclists to take priority over high levels of traffic and it would be a bonus if horse-drawn landaus and the road train made it part of their route. Initial discussions with operators have shown support for this proposal.”

Norwich-based construction company May Gurney have started work on site. Details: www.stgeorgespark.org.uk