Skateboarders still seeking talks with Colchester Council over Firstsite (From Essex County Standard)

My understanding is that Firstsite doesn´t own the area outside. Seriously, what is it with the council? I go through the area quite often and have not seen any problems. The kids get out of the way, I´m not aware of anybody being collided with.

We´re often told about the growing obesity problems of the young (and not just the young, either). This is kids doing exercise rather than sitting at home on X-box and PS3, what is the problem? I am very cynical of the effect of any petition on the council. It normally means they have made up their minds already but want to make it seem like they "consult" with the people.

How will a ban work in practice? Is the council going to send in security staff? Will we have kids menaced by burly men in suits?

Massive over-reaction on the part of the council, perceiving a problem which is not there, while other aspects of the town get mis-managed or not managed at all.

romantic wrote:
My understanding is that Firstsite doesn´t own the area outside. Seriously, what is it with the council? I go through the area quite often and have not seen any problems. The kids get out of the way, I´m not aware of anybody being collided with. We´re often told about the growing obesity problems of the young (and not just the young, either). This is kids doing exercise rather than sitting at home on X-box and PS3, what is the problem? I am very cynical of the effect of any petition on the council. It normally means they have made up their minds already but want to make it seem like they "consult" with the people. How will a ban work in practice? Is the council going to send in security staff? Will we have kids menaced by burly men in suits? Massive over-reaction on the part of the council, perceiving a problem which is not there, while other aspects of the town get mis-managed or not managed at all.

Surely during the summer months when there will be more a lot more visitors around the Town visiting places of interest then its possible someone could be in danger of getting hurt. I never witness this kind of thing when visting abroad so why should it hapen here. Have we no respect left in this country. Nothing wrong in scate boarding but in the right place please.

Oh dear....
" what is the problem? I am very cynical of the effect of any petition on the council. It normally means they have made up their minds already but want to make it seem like they "consult" with the people"
*
300 people signed a petition,
thats good news for a start,
now, ask them 300 if they would like to foreward just £1 to a fighting fund for scateboarders,
then engage a local symperthetic solicitor with your £300,
then get them solicitors to engage in dialoge with CBC over the scateboarders wishes!
THEN publish nationwide the reasons why CBC are being,
uncomunicative!
The ordinary people in the street have as much right to be heard,
to be able to state there case,
and to expect a named person to reply from CBC,
just in case it gets all "legal"

Or, the prema donnas @ firstsite/CBC/ ECC that self believe they are "above" the law of ordinary poeple,
just may have to step down from there gold plated podiums.......

I am inclined to agree with My Jaywick, about the pretentiousness of this so called 'Arts' centre, surely skateboarding is an art form and as such deserves to be seen near here? The arguments about not acceptable when too many people around in the ummer don't really hold water as the guys that skateboard certainly won't be around when they are, much preferring the quiter times when they can get their speed up to perform their stunts.
Also if the paving has been damage as claimed above then clearly shoddy materials have been used and it is not fit for purpose.

Leave the youngesters alone, if they were out mugging old ladies, or smashing windows then we could moan about anti social behaviour, but performing in this way is both healthy and would probably attract those people out and about to sit for a while and watch their grace and poise.

As a council tax payer I know that I would not want it wasted on enforcing this, better to put it to good use such as towards reopening tymperleys!

This has all been discussed before. Skateboarders have their own facilities at Leisure World dedicated to their use, much as they do in Brightlingsea etc......
They should use them. There are areas all over town dedicated for leisure pursuits such as tennis, football, bowls, walking, running. The skateboarders do not belong there.

This has all been discussed before. Skateboarders have their own facilities at Leisure World dedicated to their use, much as they do in Brightlingsea etc......
They should use them. There are areas all over town dedicated for leisure pursuits such as tennis, football, bowls, walking, running. The skateboarders do not belong there.

I think we now live in two societies in England. One that cares and one that does not care a sh-t or respects anyone. I certainly know which one I would like to live in. Give me the old days anytime.

"My understanding is that Firstsite doesn´t own the area outside. Seriously, what is it with the council?"

My understanding is that the public space outside firstsite is the responsibility of the council. The skateboarding is causing quite obvious damage to some of the paving. It is not "shoddy" and is fit for the purpose for which it was intended.

Someone will have to pay for repairs or replacement so, unless the petition organisers are going to contribute, or fines are going to be imposed, it will fall on the council to find funds elsewhere.

The suggestion that youngsters have a straight choice between skateboading outside firstsite OR smashing windows is a tad insulting to all concerned!

Skateboarding around the VAF is entirely appropriate and is a great sight to see. I wish skateboards had been invented when I was young because if they had, I would have learned the art then, and I would join them now.
I was at the VAF about 10 days before Xmas. I walked up the steps from the bus station, and saw no significant damage. A bit of scuffing here and there, but just normal wear and tear.
The question is: do we want Colchester to be alive or dead? Let's have a living town, please. Bring the skateboarders back.

There is no natural walkway exiting the VAF towards the bus station. Hopefully this will be rectified by the banging of skateboards up and down the steep steps.

Feisty CBC wrote:
There is no natural walkway exiting the VAF towards the bus station. Hopefully this will be rectified by the banging of skateboards up and down the steep steps.

Yes the steps are a little steep but no problem to this 70-year-old. I appreciate they may be a challenge to disabled people but for most of us they should be no problem.

I agree with Boris -skateboarding should be allowed, but on that huge and suitable space called the bus station. What's good for the goose Boris........

I don't think anyone is trying to ban skateboarding, and I would rather they used the space around firstsite that the war memorial, but let's have a bit of consideration guys. Scuffing, wear and tear IS damage.

Quote "Martin Hunt, Colchester Council deputy leader, said the skateboarders should hand the petition in at the next cabinet meeting on January 25"

Simply rhetoric Martin you know only to well what happens to petitions that are presented to Colchester Borough Council. They are conveniently ignored.

Tell us Martin what happened to the petition raised by Col U supporters and local residents in 2008 to get the council be responsible for the safety of pedestrians by installing street lighting along Boxted Road? Absolutely nothing!

Of course the councils answer then was, and still is, to close the road on match days and deny residents access to our homes because CBC, and now ECC consider the road unsafe and dangerous for pedestrians to walk along an unlit road!

Martin Hunt told me (!) he was asked by the reporter how the skateboarders should go about presenting their petition to the council. His factual answer was as you quoted. He didn't express a view as to the final outcome.
Your problem at Boxted Road as you know rests on the Highway Authority (ECC) making money available for the scheme.

I was at Firstsite on Boxing Day with a group of walkers doing a heritage tour. I expected some heckling from the skateboard fraternity, especially as I was in full Roman costume. But none came. These youngsters are very well behaved and are probably self-policing. Having visited Firstsite on several occasions before, I have never seen any bad behaviour from them. I therefore welcome their presence and the spectacle that they provide. f anything, I would encourage them, as they do in other European cities. This is a free tourist attraction - if only the council realised it. Only if the youngsters become anti-social should something be done about removing them. Live and let live!

Simon Taylor wrote:
I don't think anyone is trying to ban skateboarding, and I would rather they used the space around firstsite that the war memorial, but let's have a bit of consideration guys. Scuffing, wear and tear IS damage.

Simon, have you ever visited a city centre historic building in any major city?
have you ever seen "wear & tear" in all of these city attractions?
Of course you will have, as visiting humans have shoes that carry grit on there soles that sand down anything they walk on, hence natural wear & tear.
To believe a walkway will never suffer wear is really living in a world of make believe, perhaps along the lines of the golden elephant not costing the tax payer money,
then,
now,
and in the future!

The whole areas surrounding the golden elephant is a disgrace, and has been for years,
and you complain about a "used" piece of walkway..

in a previous article about this issue the council were being supportive and had sugested putting up protective materials on the curbs and edges which skaters use to grind.
they thought it was great that kids were getting excersize.

as usual though they turned their backs on the youths.
always on about how unhealthy kids are, obisity checks on school kids, no enough exersize. when they finally start exersizing and having fun outdoors, they appear to be happy then change their minds completely.

there's hardly anywhere for kids/teens to hang out for free in colchester, as soon as they start having fun, 1 grumpy member of the public complains and all fun is banned.

if they didn't want skaters they should have thought of the materials used in the 1st place, perfectly smooth nice smooth benches a few curves. perfect for skating. now it's started they want it stopped, ruining the fun.

if they didn't want it to happen they should have used a rougher surface/skate stoppers like you see on most road crossing.

I think they should be allowed to skate as much as they want! keeps them out of trouble, keeps them fit, keeps them and walkers by entertained, nice little sociable area to make new friends.

Cliff wrote:
I agree with Boris -skateboarding should be allowed, but on that huge and suitable space called the bus station. What's good for the goose Boris........

Now you are being childish, Cliff. Please grow up, there's a good fellow.
The present bus station is in fact not huge at all, and if you think it is suitable for skateboarding, ask a few bus drivers what they would think of that.
If you want skateboarders amongst the traffic then let's see them perform in Head Street, High Street, North Hill, etc. That will be a good way to achieve the car-free High Street that your friends on the council propose.

Sdapeze wrote:
I was at Firstsite on Boxing Day with a group of walkers doing a heritage tour. I expected some heckling from the skateboard fraternity, especially as I was in full Roman costume. But none came. These youngsters are very well behaved and are probably self-policing. Having visited Firstsite on several occasions before, I have never seen any bad behaviour from them. I therefore welcome their presence and the spectacle that they provide. f anything, I would encourage them, as they do in other European cities. This is a free tourist attraction - if only the council realised it. Only if the youngsters become anti-social should something be done about removing them. Live and let live!

Great comment, Sdapeze, the skateboarders are an excellent complement to the VAF.
I love it when I agree with you. It may not last for long, but it's good while it lasts.
Happy New Year to you, and Cliff, and all the other contributors to these threads.

Boris wrote:

Sdapeze wrote:
I was at Firstsite on Boxing Day with a group of walkers doing a heritage tour. I expected some heckling from the skateboard fraternity, especially as I was in full Roman costume. But none came. These youngsters are very well behaved and are probably self-policing. Having visited Firstsite on several occasions before, I have never seen any bad behaviour from them. I therefore welcome their presence and the spectacle that they provide. f anything, I would encourage them, as they do in other European cities. This is a free tourist attraction - if only the council realised it. Only if the youngsters become anti-social should something be done about removing them. Live and let live!

Great comment, Sdapeze, the skateboarders are an excellent complement to the VAF.
I love it when I agree with you. It may not last for long, but it's good while it lasts.
Happy New Year to you, and Cliff, and all the other contributors to these threads.

Agreement breaking out all over the place, what´s going on? Sdapeze, you are right in what you say: these kids should be encouraged, not kicked out. Of course it wasn´t planned to be a skate park. The people who designed this are probably not skaters, although maybe they should offer their services to other places. I pass through quite often and have not seen any problems. If anybody feels intimidated, they shouldn´t do.

jes1989, you are also right. I´d rather see kids out in the air, exercising, socialising, having fun. Got to be better than sitting at home glued to a computer screen. Crazycomments talks about a lack of respect, but I don´t see that. The skaters seem to respect people coming through, and each other. Everybody takes their turn, those who are just learning are encouraged by the more experienced ones.

Like Boris, I´d be out there myself, but I think I´d definitely be a danger to myself and others! Personally, I would say they should call the bluff of the council and just carry on. What will happen if they hand in a petition, even with 1,000 names on it, is that the council will then say it´s not representative because it´s only 1,000 out of 100,000 in the town. My feeling is that they have already made their minds up, but just want to create the illusion that they will listen to the people. I hope not, but it does seem to be the way they work.

I actually think it's an advantage to have the skaters there. It adds a vibrancy to the area that was sadly lacking before. If the National Theatre and festival hall can go alongside skateboarding surely firstsite can too?
It's not as though it's hugely busy. Which prompts the thought- have we seen the figures through the door and donations month on month since opening? Ie not the total number including the first week's rush.

FirstSite is doing all right and visitor numbers have exceeded expectations.

There's more to happen in the area with the opening of hotels etc.....

Let's be positive. Where can one wander down the High Street, visit some good free facilities and have a wander around a beautiful park?

We have some good ale houses and some good coffee places as well.

Boris wrote:

Sdapeze wrote:
I was at Firstsite on Boxing Day with a group of walkers doing a heritage tour. I expected some heckling from the skateboard fraternity, especially as I was in full Roman costume. But none came. These youngsters are very well behaved and are probably self-policing. Having visited Firstsite on several occasions before, I have never seen any bad behaviour from them. I therefore welcome their presence and the spectacle that they provide. f anything, I would encourage them, as they do in other European cities. This is a free tourist attraction - if only the council realised it. Only if the youngsters become anti-social should something be done about removing them. Live and let live!

Great comment, Sdapeze, the skateboarders are an excellent complement to the VAF.
I love it when I agree with you. It may not last for long, but it's good while it lasts.
Happy New Year to you, and Cliff, and all the other contributors to these threads.

You might love it when you agree with sdapeze, but agreeing with him scares the life out of me. But I'm gonna bite the bullet and say it - great comment sdapeze!
Kids to do have it tough - all their rights to education, to services, all being cut. They have to put up with a disgraceful record of 1 in 5 youth unemployment. But I have to say, considering how happy this council is putting the boot into older people in our town, we can hardly be surprised they're adding insult to injury with the kids.

Boris wrote:

Cliff wrote:
I agree with Boris -skateboarding should be allowed, but on that huge and suitable space called the bus station. What's good for the goose Boris........

Now you are being childish, Cliff. Please grow up, there's a good fellow.
The present bus station is in fact not huge at all, and if you think it is suitable for skateboarding, ask a few bus drivers what they would think of that.
If you want skateboarders amongst the traffic then let's see them perform in Head Street, High Street, North Hill, etc. That will be a good way to achieve the car-free High Street that your friends on the council propose.

Yup, Cliff is just proving to everyone here what is wrong inside the town hall. Sixty odd going on six...

6079 Smith W wrote:

Boris wrote:

Sdapeze wrote:
I was at Firstsite on Boxing Day with a group of walkers doing a heritage tour. I expected some heckling from the skateboard fraternity, especially as I was in full Roman costume. But none came. These youngsters are very well behaved and are probably self-policing. Having visited Firstsite on several occasions before, I have never seen any bad behaviour from them. I therefore welcome their presence and the spectacle that they provide. f anything, I would encourage them, as they do in other European cities. This is a free tourist attraction - if only the council realised it. Only if the youngsters become anti-social should something be done about removing them. Live and let live!

Great comment, Sdapeze, the skateboarders are an excellent complement to the VAF.
I love it when I agree with you. It may not last for long, but it's good while it lasts.
Happy New Year to you, and Cliff, and all the other contributors to these threads.

You might love it when you agree with sdapeze, but agreeing with him scares the life out of me. But I'm gonna bite the bullet and say it - great comment sdapeze!
Kids to do have it tough - all their rights to education, to services, all being cut. They have to put up with a disgraceful record of 1 in 5 youth unemployment. But I have to say, considering how happy this council is putting the boot into older people in our town, we can hardly be surprised they're adding insult to injury with the kids.

'...Kids today', not 'kids to do' (5th line).

How have the council stopped the skaters? anyone know?
Whats stopping them just going back and carrying on?

I must admit I liked seeing them zooming around but understand the safety concerns, presumably the council is worried they will be held liable if someone is injured either skating or more likely by a skater.

This is not left vs right Anna. This is non-political and safe to apply common-sense to. Rest assured we will have plenty to disagree about in future.

Sdapeze wrote:
This is not left vs right Anna. This is non-political and safe to apply common-sense to. Rest assured we will have plenty to disagree about in future.

The comments of Cliff suggest a political edge. Nevertheless, if this was Facebook, your comment would get a 'like'. Did you know you 'liked' one of my FB comments recently?! Happy new year, sdapeze, and to many more disagreements in 2012!

And a happy new year to all the regulars, even our 60 odd going on 6 CBC cabinet member!
And remember, Cliff, it's polite to refer to each other by our user names!

It looks like this is an exclusive CBC domain?

It looks like this is an exclusive CBC domain?

It looks like this is an exclusive CBC domain?

crazy comments wrote:
I think we now live in two societies in England. One that cares and one that does not care a sh-t or respects anyone. I certainly know which one I would like to live in. Give me the old days anytime.

I will go back to your comment crazy comments.
we indeed do live in two seperate societies here In England,
but you dont see so much of It here In Essex!
I know of two seperate groups of "nationals"
who trade in one high street, but each side of the road is one nationality, the other side, another nationality.
Each side hates the other with avengence!!
This happens now in many cities and towns within England.
Crazy, It Is NOW, not way back when you loved It so much.
Just look at the murders now on TV over the festive period - how many was it?
Your old days were halcyon days gone by,
never to be retrieved,
lost, but as you say,
not forgotton,
but as we all live in today,
kids have the right to skateboard in open areas that the public use,
as "we" use it, then so can they,
as Its them that "are" your & mine futures.
The old days of touching your forelock and saying sir have gone.

Things I comment on to my daughters or grandaughter are met with,
"get over it"
or,
"its real time now"

Keeping in touch with the countries future workforce will not teach grandmothers to suck eggs will It!

But will go a long way In understanding them...

Struth it was a gentle joke not a serious suggestion. Smith and Boris obviously have no sense of humour at all. Lighten up a bit chaps. And by the way everyone knows who I am and I'm not ashamed of it or being 64 so why are you two so shy and sensitive? Happy New Year to all of you!

Cliff wrote:
Struth it was a gentle joke not a serious suggestion. Smith and Boris obviously have no sense of humour at all. Lighten up a bit chaps. And by the way everyone knows who I am and I'm not ashamed of it or being 64 so why are you two so shy and sensitive? Happy New Year to all of you!

So Cliff now thinks he's a comedian. Next he'll be thinking that he runs the town!
Cliff, take some friendly advice. You are to comedy what Peter Lilley was for singing. Or what Bob Russell is for sex appeal. If you aint got it...

Let me take this chance to wish all the regular posters a happy New Year and all the best for 2012, whether you post sense, nonsense or mindless drivel! Doesn´t matter, it´s always good to see alternative viewpoints and provides some amusement (and occasionally dismay) when work is slow. Have a good one, everybody!

skate boarding done as a sport has no place on an open thorough fare.some of the rubbish printed on here beggars belief.

It concerns me too that I might agree with Anna on anything. After all, were I to agree with him, we would then both be wrong.

Cliff wrote:
Martin Hunt told me (!) he was asked by the reporter how the skateboarders should go about presenting their petition to the council. His factual answer was as you quoted. He didn't express a view as to the final outcome.
Your problem at Boxted Road as you know rests on the Highway Authority (ECC) making money available for the scheme.

You forgot to point out that it was CBC who built the Stadium and ECC told them at the time that Boxted Road was not suitable. So for 4 years both councils have done absolutely nothing but talk about it! Actions make things happen!

Martin Hunt has even said, in his opinion, the road closures are only a 'minor inconvenience'. Of course he doesn't live here does he so why would he care!

wellnow wrote:
skate boarding done as a sport has no place on an open thorough fare.some of the rubbish printed on here beggars belief.

Killjoy.

Sdapeze wrote:
It concerns me too that I might agree with Anna on anything. After all, were I to agree with him, we would then both be wrong.

Come along now, we all agree on so many things. For example:
1. Lead does not float.
2. It is better to be alive than dead.
3. Night follows day.
4. The earth goes round the sun.
I know that Winston agrees with all those propositions. So do you, and Cliff, and I.
So let's celebrate this meeting of minds, wish each other a happy new year yet again, and look forward to another 12 months disagreeing on a few of life's details.

Boris wrote:

Sdapeze wrote:
It concerns me too that I might agree with Anna on anything. After all, were I to agree with him, we would then both be wrong.

Come along now, we all agree on so many things. For example:
1. Lead does not float.
2. It is better to be alive than dead.
3. Night follows day.
4. The earth goes round the sun.
I know that Winston agrees with all those propositions. So do you, and Cliff, and I.
So let's celebrate this meeting of minds, wish each other a happy new year yet again, and look forward to another 12 months disagreeing on a few of life's details.

Totally agree Boris. We will still be discussing and arguing the same issues next year with Cliff and his mates still sitting on the fence. Happy new year to you all.

jut1972 wrote:
How have the council stopped the skaters? anyone know?
Whats stopping them just going back and carrying on?

I must admit I liked seeing them zooming around but understand the safety concerns, presumably the council is worried they will be held liable if someone is injured either skating or more likely by a skater.

For me, juts comment is straight to the point, and covers all arguements. By giving the skateboarders their blessing, Colchester council would be accepting liability for any mishaps and accidents. Since we live in a compensation culture, the stance they take to discourage the boarders is quite understandable..

Boris wrote:

Sdapeze wrote:
It concerns me too that I might agree with Anna on anything. After all, were I to agree with him, we would then both be wrong.

Come along now, we all agree on so many things. For example:
1. Lead does not float.
2. It is better to be alive than dead.
3. Night follows day.
4. The earth goes round the sun.
I know that Winston agrees with all those propositions. So do you, and Cliff, and I.
So let's celebrate this meeting of minds, wish each other a happy new year yet again, and look forward to another 12 months disagreeing on a few of life's details.

Point 3. I think it's the other way around!

25414nora wrote:

jut1972 wrote:
How have the council stopped the skaters? anyone know?
Whats stopping them just going back and carrying on?

I must admit I liked seeing them zooming around but understand the safety concerns, presumably the council is worried they will be held liable if someone is injured either skating or more likely by a skater.

For me, juts comment is straight to the point, and covers all arguements. By giving the skateboarders their blessing, Colchester council would be accepting liability for any mishaps and accidents. Since we live in a compensation culture, the stance they take to discourage the boarders is quite understandable..

Yeah, happy new year (once again) to all. I certainly had a smile when I looked on here tonight, so thanks to Say It, Sdapeze, Boris, even Cliff, and everybody else.

6079 Smith W wrote:

25414nora wrote:

jut1972 wrote:
How have the council stopped the skaters? anyone know?
Whats stopping them just going back and carrying on?

I must admit I liked seeing them zooming around but understand the safety concerns, presumably the council is worried they will be held liable if someone is injured either skating or more likely by a skater.

For me, juts comment is straight to the point, and covers all arguements. By giving the skateboarders their blessing, Colchester council would be accepting liability for any mishaps and accidents. Since we live in a compensation culture, the stance they take to discourage the boarders is quite understandable..

Yeah, happy new year (once again) to all. I certainly had a smile when I looked on here tonight, so thanks to Say It, Sdapeze, Boris, even Cliff, and everybody else.

I attached completely the wrong quote - should have been the one with sdapeze and Boris - but happy new year to both Nora and Jut (again) as well.

Well. I suppose I had better go with the flow. I int going soft on anarchist lefties but I do wish everybody a good new year. 2011 has been a good one for me for sure and 2012 looks to be another one for so many reasons. I shall continue to irritate some of you and make no apologies for it. Somebody needs to, or you will think that everybody agrees with you. Peace to the skateboarders too.

flogging is to good for you.you turncoat jephcott.

Follow that!

Oh dear,
new years day follows
new years eve every year,
but points raised still follow raised voices on any comments..

happy new years folks..

This is a community site for EVERYBODY and that includes young people who want to use the area for Skateboarding. Nothing annoys me more than the council and its cronies trying to supress people having fun. There is absolutely nothing iillegal about skateboarding on this site, it was paid for by tax payers money and most of those skateboarding are either tax payers themselves or their parents definately are, they are fully entitled to use it. The very fact the council has ignored these young people when they have attempted to get hold of them speaks volumes. This is supposed to be a democracy where anyone can have their say but YET AGAIN it seems a small group of miserable, cantankerous individuals are dictating how they want the town run for the benefit of a small cadre of conservative old folk.

This is a community site for EVERYBODY and that includes young people who want to use the area for Skateboarding. Nothing annoys me more than the council and its cronies trying to supress people having fun. There is absolutely nothing iillegal about skateboarding on this site, it was paid for by tax payers money and most of those skateboarding are either tax payers themselves or their parents definately are, they are fully entitled to use it. The very fact the council has ignored these young people when they have attempted to get hold of them speaks volumes. This is supposed to be a democracy where anyone can have their say but YET AGAIN it seems a small group of miserable, cantankerous individuals are dictating how they want the town run for the benefit of a small cadre of conservative old folk.

Boris wrote:
Skateboarding around the VAF is entirely appropriate and is a great sight to see. I wish skateboards had been invented when I was young because if they had, I would have learned the art then, and I would join them now.
I was at the VAF about 10 days before Xmas. I walked up the steps from the bus station, and saw no significant damage. A bit of scuffing here and there, but just normal wear and tear.
The question is: do we want Colchester to be alive or dead? Let's have a living town, please. Bring the skateboarders back.

Boris is spot on here. We want a town alive, not a boring, desolate, grey 'dead zone', which is what it seems a lot of these council types want.

André wrote:
This is a community site for EVERYBODY and that includes young people who want to use the area for Skateboarding. Nothing annoys me more than the council and its cronies trying to supress people having fun. There is absolutely nothing iillegal about skateboarding on this site, it was paid for by tax payers money and most of those skateboarding are either tax payers themselves or their parents definately are, they are fully entitled to use it. The very fact the council has ignored these young people when they have attempted to get hold of them speaks volumes. This is supposed to be a democracy where anyone can have their say but YET AGAIN it seems a small group of miserable, cantankerous individuals are dictating how they want the town run for the benefit of a small cadre of conservative old folk.

Andre, agree 100%. Glad to see a few were still skateboarding yesterday. I'd join them, but would definitely be a liability! Kids, fight these killjoys, they're not in some way better than you just because they are "the council". They are not some divine power, just employees of the people!

skate boarding along a pavement as a way of propelling ones self is completely different to the sport of skateboarding.if you think that the sport can be carried on without proper boundaries,you are more stupid than most of your syrupy comments