Playgrounds in Aberystwyth which have been shut since March, will reopen - but only for the duration of the Christmas school holiday.

And “risky” areas of the parks such as tunnels will be cordoned off.

During a meeting on Monday evening, Aberystwyth Town Council decided the castle and Plascrug play areas would reopen for the Christmas holiday, which begins on Friday, 18 December. But they could be closed again after the holiday.

Penparcau playground will reopen once refurbishment work has been completed, with contractors “aiming to finish before Christmas”.

The three town council-owned playgrounds were closed in March when the coronavirus lockdown began. Despite playgrounds in Wales being given the go-ahead, from the Welsh Government, to reopen in July, the council decided to keep Aberystwyth parks closed, despite pleas from local parents and councillors.

In the October, it was decided a “cross party” group of councillors would complete a Children’s Impact Assessment and the results would be reviewed in the 23 November meeting.

In light of the impact assessment, Cllr Mangold, who has been a vocal advocate for the reopening of the playgrounds, suggested the parks could be reopened for certain groups of children, such disabled children, children of certain age groups, or those from low-income families.

Cllr Talat Chaudhri said this may be difficult to police.

Clerk to the council Gweneria Raw Rees also said enclosed areas in the parks, such as tunnels or slides, would have to be blocked off as the council could not “ensure it was Covid-free”.

Ms Raw Rees suggested the parks could reopen for everybody over the school holiday.

Deputy mayor and chair of the meeting Cllr Alun Williams said it’s “impossible” to open for only some children and pointed out the recent increase in Covid-19 cases in the county.

He added: “Part of the problem with play areas during school term is various kids coming out of school at the same time and piling into playgrounds at the same time. Outside of school time, this isn’t as much of an issue.”

Cllr Mari Turner suggested castle and Plascrug parks could be closed again after the school holiday.

It was decided that parks would reopen for the duration of the school holidays, with “risky” areas of the parks such as tunnels cordoned off.