A COUNCIL has revealed this week that the completion of a �2.7m park restoration project has been delayed.

Work started on the renovation of Letchworth GC’s Howard Park and Gardens in Norton Way South last November but eight months in North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC), who are overseeing the refurbishment, has said that the Howard Park paddling pool is expected to be completed in spring 2012, not autumn this year as originally planned.

The delay is the result of having to comply with a recent change to technical requirements from Anglian Water, which means some major design modifications have had to be made to the pool’s filtration system.

The works in Howard Gardens is said to be progressing well with the bowling green opening for use in April and a new statue of Sappho expected to be on display later this summer.

The scheme, which is being carried out by contractors UPM Tilhill, has been largely funded by the Parks for People programme, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund.

John Robinson, strategic director of customer services at NHDC, said: “These changes will not affect the appearance or operation of the pool and we still anticipate completing the overall project within the original �2.7m budget. The paddling pool will still be open well in time for the 2012 summer season.

“We hope residents will continue to bear with us while the work is completed. The end result will be a fantastic revitalised green space for the whole community to enjoy for many generations to come.”