Lottery money could help reconnect Canbury Gardens and Kingston town centre, if a heritage organisation is successful in bidding for money.

The Thames Landscape Strategy said it would work with local stakeholders and consult residents about its ideas, which also include improvements to access points, lighting, bins and benches.

Jason Debney, director of strategy for the organisation, said: “The first thing we would do is a historical survey of how people used the park and what was there so we have a clear understanding of who uses the park and what they want to do there.

“Particularly we want to extend the path towards the town centre. At the moment there is a separation between the park and the town itself.”

Councillor David Cunningham said a working party would look at possible improvements. He said: “It was a very attractive Victorian park and seems to have lost its way as what people want. We would hope we could significantly improve Canbury Gardens.”

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