5 comments

• Comment Link Thursday, 18 July 2013 17:42 posted by Councillor Suzy P. Webb

  It seems like such a long time since I took on the role of leader of the Skatepark taskgroup. After a lot of disappointments and frustration, I am pleased to say that the funding is now in place for lighting and CCTV and the installation work started this week. This work should take less than a week, though Skanska, who will actual connect up the system, may take a little while longer to complete their bit. The young users are thrilled and this should mean a subway relatively free of skateboarders as the dark evenings approach. All these young people are really keen on this activity and, whilst they are there, they are not being antisocial throughout the rest of the borough. Let's be happy for them.
• Comment Link Wednesday, 01 August 2012 19:35 posted by Councillor Suzy P. Webb (Sunbury East, but working for the whole of Sunbury)

  Unfortunately, I was not a councillor when the skatepark was constructed and really wish that residents and the young people, who have become the users, had been better consulted. The comments on this site are from adult residents but, be assured, many of the young skatepark users have the same concerns as everyone else and are keen to improve the image and standard that pertains at present. I also wish that the design and standard had been emulated from more excellent examples, such as the one in Hampton Wick. In my opinion, the work was agreed and completed without proper overview and scrutiny and shoddy workmanship was the result. Fortunately, we have a ten year guarantee so the contractors are obliged to return and repair any damage that has, all too soon, become apparent.
  However, I believe that our young people need this facility and I have been fighting to get that principle accepted since I first agreed to lead the taskgroup. I have heard comments such as 'closing the skatepark', and 'not allowing late opening' but all this would do is to disperse any anti-social activity elsewhere, perhaps in the immediate neighbourhoods of those who are unhappy at the existence of this facility.
  I say, let's not close the skatepark because of the problems, but let's sort out the problems. They may not be your children and they may not be my children but, actually, they are our children and we are all responsible for them.
  Decent lighting does mean later opening, but the alternative is that the young skaters will use the subway where there is lighting and shelter after hours - another source of discontent amongst residents. I would point out that it is also dangerous for young people to be in the subway because of other undesirable elements that use it at night.
  New lighting would go along with CCTV so that local police can monitor activity and bring to book the culprits of any anti-social behaviour. I have had an agreement that, somehow, we will find the money for lighting, CCTV and fencing as a first step to bringing the skatepark to an acceptable, safe and user-friendly standard.
  I have so many more ideas of what is needed and what we would like, including a noticeboard with rules, more seating and a rainshelter, but, in these difficult financial times, we have to do what we can, as best we can, before moving to the next stage.
  Please be assured that I am listening to you all, but I will not be advocating closure of the skatepark. I would appreciate your support in this.
• Comment Link Sunday, 20 May 2012 09:15 posted by Taylor

  The value of the skatepark on what was 'dead land' surely outweighs some (not all) of the problems it has created - it was interesting to see how the park was developed and it comes as no surprise that workmanship was not up to scratch.
  
  A bit more planning of this 'facility' at the outset could have improved things but it does seem as if the idea was thrown together without good impact assessments and monitoring. Access, refuse, fencing and lighting could have made this a much safer environment. In star we have misuse and increased risk for Users.
  
  There will always be critics but if you remove the skatepark to remove a facility that lets not forget is used by a lot of young people.
• Comment Link Wednesday, 02 May 2012 13:58 posted by J Doskar

  I have highlighted the problems with this facility and the lack of consultation with the local residents from the beginning. Several councillors and the leader of the council are all aware.
• Comment Link Saturday, 21 April 2012 11:01 posted by John 2

  Decent Lighting means later opening and use. Is that what we want?