WORK has kicked off on an ambitious £200,000 council project to make playparks accessible to all children.

The first park to install equipment suitable for disabled youngsters is at Birkmyre Avenue in Port Glasgow, while work also started at West Glen Park in Kilmacolm

This heralds a rollout across 13 play areas which will be upgraded with play ramps, a wheelchair-friendly roundabout or both.

Councillor David Wilson said: "I think it is a great idea.

"Our playparks should be accessible.

"It is a very good use of £200,000.

"It is beneficial to the whole of Inverclyde and I am pleased to see the progress here in Kilmacolm.

"I am also particularly pleased that Craigmarloch School is part of this provision."

The work is permitted under the current coronavirus restrictions and will take place between now and March.

Councillor Michael McCormick, Inverclyde Council’s convener of environment and regeneration, said: “While it’s not the weather to go out and play, the improvements being carried out now mean our children and young people will be able to enjoy more accessible playparks when conditions are better.

“This is a fantastic investment by the council to increase inclusivity and will be beneficial to young people of all abilities.

“In the meantime, we must all stay at home as much as possible to try and slow the spread of the virus.

“Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before we can enjoy things like our playparks more fully.”

Inverclyde Council has spent around £100,000 on the equipment, with a similar amount for the installations and associated works, such as fence, path and surface alterations.

The other playparks included are Watt Street, Battery Park, Wellpark, Overton in Greenock, Birkmyre Avenue, Craigmarloch School and Coronation Park in the Port, Cove Road, The Walled Gardens, King Street and Cullen Crescent in Gourock and Wemyss Bay Community Centre.