'The news is amazing' - councillors decide that lighting will be installed at Market Drayton skatepark
Youth workers have expressed their delight after councillors in Market Drayton have voted to install a lighting column at the town's skatepark in their latest move to benefit users.
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Civic leaders came together at a meeting of Market Drayton Town Council's Services and Facilities Committee last Thursday to consider quotes for the provision and funding.
Chairperson of the committee, Tim Manton said proposals were approved and that an eight metre high lighting column will be installed next to the toilet block on Newport Road to illuminate the skatepark and recently installed youth shelter at the facility.
Mr Manton said there will be two 150 watt floodlights fitted to the top of the lighting column that will be powered and switched on by an "anti-vandal push button switch".
Plans are for the lights to only come on for an hour when the button is pushed, and power will cease completely at a designated time to be decided, so the lights are not always shining.
Councillor Tim Manton said: "The lights will be timed to go off at a certain time to be decided, but the premise is that users of the skate park when they go down can push the button, it will stay on for an hour, then the lights will go off, and if they want to carry on using it then they can push it again.
"It is what the kids were shouting out for. They were shouting out for a shelter and some lighting so they can use the facility in the winter months.
"The town council takes youth very seriously, we fund the youth provision and youth club in the town, and the skate park is a commitment to the town.
"Andy Haller from Shropshire Council is keen to make sure that the facility is fit for purpose and that young people use it. In the winter months when it is dark and raining, the kids can’t, so we are trying to address that."
CCTV is also going to be relocated to the lighting column to improve the skatepark's security.
Shropshire Councils Youth Support Area Lead for North Shropshire Andy Haller has been at the forefront of improvements after consulting with users of the skatepark.
He found that young people were not using the skatepark during the winter period due to there being no shelter and a lack of lighting.
And so, Market Drayton Town Council has resolved to purchase and install a shelter and now decided that lighting will be installed, to the delight of the youth worker.
"This project has been so exciting for us as a team, supporting the group to support them to make the positive changes they have, to an area they feel so proud of and clearly demonstrate a valued stake in their area," said Mr Haller.
"The detached youth workers have worked collaboratively with the young people and the town council over the past two years, primarily to help support them to get the lights installed and the youth shelter at the skate park.
"Throughout this period young people we have supported have developed and maintained a mature attitude throughout and continue to do so.
"Youth workers are extremely proud of their focus and engagement within the project, they have taken ownership over so many elements including a dedication to keep this area clean and tidy.
"On the back of securing the shelter, young people have remained fully focused working with the detached youth workers to hopefully be successful in having lights installed, to help make the skate park be utilised more in the winter months. The news we have all recently received that the lights will be installed very soon, is amazing for them.
"This project is evolving all the while, and with the recent successes, young people are very excited and have some wonderful ideas for this summer,
"Youth workers are already in discussion with the group to help them plan and organise a fun day in the summer for the whole community at the skate park to help them raise funds."
