Many of the city’s parks will be shut for the school summer holidays and not open again until the winter.

Gates are closing at five children’s play facilities in Brighton and Hove as families look for activities over the six-week school break.

Brighton and Hove City Council is spending £3 million on improving the play areas but it means they will be either fully or partially shut until the end of the year.

The Argus asked the city council why it has waited until the warmer weather and school holidays to carry out the work, instead of doing so in the winter.

“In an ideal world, we would carry out refurbishment work when parks are least used,” said councillor Tim Rowkins, chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s environment, South Downs, and sea committee.

“The work includes laying new surfaces and is to some extent weather dependent. We cannot carry out the work year-round or during and immediately after periods of wet weather.

“We’ve made great progress with our £3 million playground refurbishment programme since it started last year. 

“More than half of the 45 playgrounds in the programme now have fantastic new facilities.

“Whilst it obviously does disrupt the use of the playgrounds, if we didn’t do any upgrades during the summer months then the whole programme would be delayed, and other playgrounds would have to wait even longer for their improvements.

“We’ll be doing our best to minimise disruption as much as possible and trying to only partially close playgrounds where we can.”

Rottingdean Recreation Ground closed on July 17 with Whitehawk Way locking shut two days later.

Saltdean Oval Park is closing on July 24, Woollards Field near Stanmer on July 31 and Knoll Park on August 14.

Queen's Park will be partially closed from September 4 while start dates for work at Hollingdean Park and Woodingdean Central Park are yet to be announced.

Plans will see innovative play equipment for all ages and abilities added to the parks, with Hollingdean Park getting wheelchair accessible play unit, while Hollingdean Park will get an outdoor multi-gym.

Cllr Rowkins, Chair of the City Environment, South Downs and The Sea Committee, said: “We’re delighted that the next phase of our park refurbishment programme begins this week, kicking off with Rottingdean Recreation Ground.

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“We know how much local residents are looking forward to seeing our brilliant and inclusive plans for Queen's Park come to life. We’re disappointed to have to delay the work, but at least the play area will remain fully open throughout the summer holidays. The adjacent public toilets are also now open.

“Our refurbishments will provide bright, fun and inclusive play areas for children and young people across the city, and we look forward to seeing children of all abilities having fun in our parks.

“We’ve already refurbished 23 parks in Brighton & Hove and have plans for many more across the city next year.”