'Unsafe' Church Stretton skatepark must be demolished
A skatepark built in Church Stretton just three years ago will be demolished in the next few weeks after health and safety inspectors condemned it as unsafe.
The wooden skatepark in the town park, which cost £10,000 to build, has become rotten due the effects of the weather. Inspectors for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) have recommended it is immediately dismantled.
Part of the skatepark was removed earlier in the summer for safety reasons, but now officials at Church Stretton Town Council have revealed the rest of the ramps will be removed soon.
The structure was built by local enthusiasts in 2009 to replace the previous skatepark which had been repeatedly targeted by vandals.
It is hoped funding can be found to pay for a new concrete skatepark in the future and plans are being formed to create a new group of parents and youngsters to get the project off the ground. But it is expected to take several months for a replacement to be provided.
Christine Harvey, town clerk, said: "As the safety of those using the skatepark is of paramount importance to the town council, it cannot ignore this report from RoSPA and so with regret, it is going to have to remove the remaining pieces of the skate park.
"This action is greatly regretted but unavoidable.
"It is very disappointing. We had to take part of the skatepark away earlier this summer but now the whole lot will have to come down.
"We are looking into getting a concrete skatepark brought in if funding can be secured. At this stage we don't know how much it will cost.
"A few like-minded parents and youngsters are trying to form a group, which will work closely with the town council on seeking funding and getting this project off the ground."
Anyone interested in getting involved or who has ideas to source funding can call the council office on (01694) 722113 or e-mailing personalassistant@churchstretton-tc.gov.uk
By Peter Kitchen
