CONTRACTORS have started preparing the ground for York's new community stadium.

The first stage of the early works on the Huntington site will pave the way for construction to start early next year, following the demolition of the Huntington Stadium and nearby Waterworld.

The early works, expected to take place for three months, include improvements to increase the capacity of the Monks Cross Park&Ride facility.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, executive member for culture, leisure and tourism at City of York Council, said: “This is an important step forward for the project and we’re delighted works on site are now starting.

"We’re committed to delivering this project which looks to provide an exciting mix of high-quality community and commercial leisure facilities for residents and visitors.”

Council leader Chris Steward said the authority was continuing its commitment to delivery of the stadium and these early works were a key moment for the project, marking the first real stage of works on site.

"This will lay the foundations for the main construction of the York Community Stadium next year, to bring top-class facilities to York.”

The contractor carrying out the work is ISG construction, who will be responsible for site safety, and a temporary road closure of Kathryn Avenue will be needed which may impact Park&Ride bus services.

With the works taking place and the additional volumes of traffic experienced in the run up to Christmas, residents are being advised to plan ahead using the i-Travel journey planner at www.itravelyork.info.

Danny Murray, ISG’s Northern regional managing director, said: “The commencement of the enabling works phase is an important and highly visible milestone, as we mark the first construction activity to take place on this major leisure and retail destination.

"Today represents the culmination of over three years’ of intense planning and coordination between the scheme’s key stakeholders and it’s an exciting time for everyone involved and for the wider community as progress get underway.”

The project includes an 8,000 seat stadium for football and rugby league, a leisure facility including a gym, 25 metre, six-lane swimming pool, fun pool and training pool, as well as a new sports hall and dance studio.

A Community Hub will provide bespoke facilities for project partners with a focus on promoting health and wellbeing for York residents and visitors. The development also includes a number of new retail units restaurants and a multi-screen cinema complex.