Community says skate park safety faults unfounded (From Stroud News and Journal)

Community says skate park safety faults unfounded

A COMMUNITY group which had skate equipment installed for young people in its neighbourhood has hit back at critics who claimed the facility was unsafe.

Stroud's Top of Town Community Association (TOTCA) had the kit installed after quizzing children about what they would like to see in the area.

Members' efforts to have the equipment installed were rewarded when the plans received a substantial grant under the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Living Spaces scheme.

But in late January, as reported in the SNJ, a handful of Stroud skaters lashed out at the facilities, claiming they did not think they were safe. The criticisms sparked a quick rebuttal from TOTCA secretary Mick Jones.

"Following the article we got in touch with the company that installed the equipment," he said.

"They sent a chap out to inspect it all and they just found one small problem. "A little lip on the small ramp needs to be filled in and they are getting someone out to sort it out."

He said the accusations about safety had been unfounded. "It's been passed as safe," he said. "They the Stroud skaters said there was a rail loose which there isn't. "There is nothing the matter with it."

The skaters had also complained they had not been consulted on the equipment, but Mr Jones said the young people in the neighbourhood, for whom the ramps had primarily been installed, had been quizzed on what they would like and were more than satisfied with the results.

"The kids who were complaining don't even come from this area," he said. The young people from the Top of Town enjoy the facility, he said, and could not fault it. "They love it," said Mr Jones. "They can't find any problems with it."