MAJOR improvement works to turn Feltham Arenas into a safe open space for the community has been given the green light.

Councillors approved plans to spend £300,000 to bring the run-down grounds back into use at a meeting on Tuesday (30), and work is due to begin in August.

The planned works will include remodelling the slopes of the site to make them safe, treating Japanese Knotweed found on the site, laying new grass, planting trees and removing materials dumped on the site that make it unsafe for community use.

Councillor Ajmer Grewal, cabinet member for leisure and public health at the council, said: “The Arenas are brimming with potential, and we’ve got great hopes for the future of the site, but we’re still in the early stages of finding a long term use that benefits the local community.

“Whilst we are waiting for these to come to fruition, we want to make sure the site is available for local residents to enjoy.

“This involves a lot of work to make the site safe and a more pleasant space to enjoy. We should be finished by the end of September.”

Two other projects were also given the go ahead; £100,000 to the Green Lane Sports Ground to refurbish the access road and car park, to be completed by August 2014.

Another £50,000 was approved to invest in installing a playground at the Alf King's Centre, Feltham. Work will begin at the start of next year and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2014.