Finchampstead’s California Country Park is set to see improvements after £2.9m of refurbishments get underway at the end of the month.

The council has appointed PT Contracting Ltd to deliver an improved car parking layout, an all weather outdoor covered cafe seating area and a new road for better vehicle access.

Councillor Norman Jorgensen, executive member for environment, sports, environmental health, leisure and libraries, said: “These improvement are the next phase in making California Country Park an even better place to visit.

“I am pleased we’re investing in a much loved and well valued local facility.

“The country park remains open throughout the work, and the team will be working hard to minimise disruption.

“I hope that local people will continue to visit during the coming months, there is so much on offer at the park.”

The park and the cafe will remain open while construction work takes place.

However the council has been forced to move the site’s car park while construction is ongoing but the authority has promised to display ‘clear signage’ so visitors know where they can park.

Previous phases of work on the park saw the council help to relocate reptiles and glow worms to a new safer place and the authority hopes to see an increase in wildlife once the work is complete.

Construction is expected to finish by early summer 2019.

The news comes after it was announced an £89,000 boardwalk has been installed at the site after the previous structure started to rot. 

Finchampstead Parish Council contributed £25,000 towards the project.

Councillor Norman Jorgensen said: “Despite previous attempts to repair, it was clear that the old boardwalk was in need of replacing.

"The new durable structure should bring years of use for visitors to enjoy the beautiful trail. Thank you to all involved in this project.”