Chelmsford City Council to repair Hylands Park Car Park

From 20 March, Chelmsford City Council will begin works to improve the car park at Hylands Park's Writtle Road entrance.

Over the years, the surface of the car park and surrounding roadways have seen a lot of wear and tear from millions of visitors. The car park is now deteriorating, so the Council is resurfacing it in hardy grasscrete, with tarmac roadways in and out.

When the work is finished, there will be a much better facility for park users, with better access and 236 marked bays compared to the current 140.

The work is expected to finish by the beginning of July. It will be carried out in two phases. The west side of the car park, near the Adventure Play Area, will be improved first, then the east side. This ensures that half of the car park will be kept open at all times for visitors to use.

Alternative parking will also be provided. The Council is opening the temporary car park at Widford Church, which offers 45 spaces. Subject to the weather and ground conditions, the grass areas east of Writtle Road Car Park will also be put into use.

All other car parks in Hylands Park, at New London Road and the Stables Visitor Centre, will be open as normal, as will the play area and park. Where necessary, visitors will be directed along safe access routes.

Councillor Bob Massey, Cabinet Member for Parks, said: "These works will provide us with a durable, high-quality car park that will serve for many years to come. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to the park's visitors while these works go ahead. Please help us to carry out the improvements quickly and smoothly by using the alternative parking arrangements provided."

This is the second phase of improvement works to parking at Hylands. An extension to the Stables Visitor Centre car park has just been completed, adding 33 extra spaces for visitors to use.