A children’s water park in Oxford will not open this summer due to safety concerns.

The condition of the play surface and fountains at Hinksey Splash Park has been deemed unsafe for children to use by Oxford City Council.

According to the council, the foundations at the park have become unreliable, and damage to the play surface and concrete base means the site now risks children getting injured.

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Councillor Chewe Munkonge, Oxford City Council cabinet member for parks and leisure, said: “We know families will be disappointed the splash park won’t open this summer, but safety has to come first.

“We’re looking at how we can provide a splash park in future years. They’re really popular with children and parents and we’re committed to finding an affordable solution."

The site has closed for short periods in recent years to allow for repairs, but now needs major work to the concrete base as well as the surface and fountains.

The scale of the work required could not be completed over the winter and new concrete needs to be installed in dry weather with temperatures above 10 degrees.

Oxford’s other splash park at Cutteslowe opened as normal from the May Morning bank holiday.

The Cutteslowe park received at £180,000 renovation in 2016.

Hinksey Outdoor Pool is also expected to open from late May and all Oxford under-17s can apply for a free swim card that gives free access to open swimming sessions.

The city council has recently invested in securing the future of Hinksey Outdoor Pool for the long term, with heat pumps to reduce energy use and a new pool liner which is currently being fitted.