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Bikes should be banned from a new skatepark in Winchester, according to a parent worried about safety. The anxious mother, who has asked not to be named, fears the current situation--with skaters and BMX riders sharing the facility--will lead to serious accidents. The skatepark, behind River Park Leisure Centre, has five ramps of varying complexity. It was was opened in August by Mark Oaten MP. The worried mum wrote to the Chronicle, warning that skateboarders and rollerbladers, aged from about eight, were having to share the ramps with older youths on bikes. "Just watch any day and you can see a young child standing terrified at the side of the park, hoping to have a chance to rollerblade, while it is being monopolised by intolerant BMX riders whizzing round at breakneck speed." The woman said her two sons were still unable to rollerblade in the long-awaited facility, and she called on Winchester City Council to act. "The BMX riders should not be in the same park as the rollerbladers--the risks are too great for the youngsters of Winchester." A spokesman for the council said the whole idea behind the skatepark was that it would not be supervised. "It's the kids' own space," he said. "It was designed that way. "We make sure that all the equipment's safe and that there are no obvious problems, but we want to leave it as a kids' facility." The spokesman said the council would be happy to explore what residents may see as problems with the park. Anyone with concerns can phone the council's leisure department on 01962-840222. HA HA HA |
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