WORK on upgrading Rhyl Underground car park will start next week.

The major renovation project will start on Wednesday, July 18. The car park, in the heart of the town's Family Entertainment Zones on West Parade, will close for eight months.

Improvements, being carried out by Denbighshire County Council (DCC), include new lighting and ventilation, a new pedestrian ramp, improved vehicle and pedestrian access and a new canopy to the central stairwell.

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of the council, said: "The regeneration of this car park forms an important part of the wider work in the town by making it easier for residents and visitors to access parking spaces.

"We appreciate it is a busy period to close a town centre car park, but it is vitally important the car park is finished in time for the opening of the new SC2 visitor attraction at Easter 2019, which anticipates a significant uplift in visitors to the town.

"Delaying until after the summer break would have meant the car park wouldn’t have been completed in time for the opening of Rhyl’s new premier visitor destination. To offset any disruption caused by the closure, work is already underway to open up more car parking spaces on Queen Street.

"The regeneration of Rhyl is part of the Council’s corporate priority to support economic prosperity and this work complements the investment the Council has made in SC2, the 1891 restaurant and the refurbishment of the Pavilion Theatre."

Extra car parking spaces will be available at the North end of Queen Street from July 20 and work is progressing on a car park on the site of the former post office, to open in the autumn.

Signage has been improved to direct motorists to other car parks at the Sky Tower, Morley Road, West Kinmel Street, the Pavilion Theatre and Quay Street.