To enable the building work to continue, the river footpath and cycleway from the Victoria Road crossing to the entrance of Riverside will be closed from Monday 4 December until completion of the new centre.

An alternative path has been constructed and directional signage will be in place.

The new leisure centre, being built by Kier, will house a modern 25m x 10 lane swimming pool with moveable floors, a boom to sub-divide the pool as required and capacity for 300 spectators, along with two further teaching and fun pools and a flume.

The new complex will also boast health and fitness studios, a 120-station gym, a soft play area and crèche, improved changing rooms and a more spacious river frontage café/restaurant.

All the facilities are being designed to ensure easy access for people with disabilities.

Key features of the design include a spacious and welcoming reception foyer, new ice rink support accommodation and innovative first floor walkways which will link the new building to the existing sports hall and ice rink.

The building will provide greater connection to the new Riverside developments with retail and a café/restaurant both accessible to centre customers and non-users.

The existing ice rink and sports hall will stay and will be refurbished as part of the scheme.

Chelmsford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, Councillor Julia Jeapes, said “I am delighted at how construction work of our new leisure complex is progressing. Chelmsford’s newest leisure centre will be an incredible addition to the ever-improving city centre.

“People heading into Chelmsford for a day out can now enjoy an abundance of shopping, dining, parks and activities for the whole family.”

The main Riverside car park and Victoria Road entrance are now closed. The undercroft car park will remain open but can only be accessed from Waterloo Lane.

A map showing where works are taking place and alternative access routes can be found at: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/riversidedevelopment

The contractors are expected to complete the build of the new facilities by December 2018 and following commissioning will be opening in January 2019.

Until then, the Riverside leisure facilities will remain open as usual.

For more information and regular updates on the Riverside redevelopment, please visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/riversidedevelopment