Middlesbrough parks to re-open on Friday's VE Day on trial basis

Middlesbrough’s parks are to reopen on a trial basis from Friday – but mayor Andy Preston has warned he won’t hesitate to close them again if necessary.

Three parks in the town will re-open on Friday. They are:

• Stewart Park

• Albert Park

• Thorntree Park

The three parks will all reopen for exercise only, with council staff on hand to remind people of social distancing measures.

The large car park at Stewart Park will remain closed to deter people from making unnecessary journeys and playgrounds and benches will remain off-limits.

Mayor Preston believes now is the time to trial a reopening of the parks as numbers of new Covid-19 infections start to fall from their peak nationally and appear to be levelling off locally.

The council is now in a stronger position to safely manage the parks with a number of staff returning to work after isolation and illness.

Street wardens will monitor the parks to advise and take action they feel is necessary.