Friends petition town hall for a skatepark (From This Is Lancashire)

Friends petition town hall for a skatepark

5:00pm Sunday 12th July 2009 in

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A GROUP of youngsters have taken their plea for a skate park in Bromley Cross, Bolton, to the top.

Daniel Slater and his friends delivered a 150-name petition to the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Norman Critchley, at Wednesday’s meeting of the full council They say a piece of land off Darwen Road would be ideal for a skatepark and are fed-up of having to catch the train or bus to other parts of the borough to enjoy their favourite pastime.

Turton High School pupil Daniel, aged 15, said: “There is a skatepark in the town centre which is good but we have to travel in on the train.

“We just want a skate park which is nearer.”

Earlier this year they enlisted the help of UNICEF, the charity which promotes the human rights of children across the world.

Daniel said: “We do sometimes feel ignored by the council so this is our way of showing how much support we have.”

His friend, Dominic Platt, aged 11, added: “We have all been skating for quite a while now and we know what equipment we want.

“A half-pipe, some ledges and a wave would be great. There are some ledges at the park in Bradshaw but they are too big for me so it would be good if the council could ask us what we want.”

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "There is a designated skating facility in the town centre where young people from all over Bolton can enjoy skateboarding on a central, purpose-built facility.

“It is good that young people are actively looking to improve facilities and officers will be considering their petition."

In August, 2007, a £75,000 skatepark was opened on land off Great Moor Street, Bolton, following pressure from young people who lobbied the council.

Teenager Joe Cowie led the campaign and, following its success, urged other young people to follow his lead and push for play facilities in their area.

andrew.greaves@the boltonnews.co.uk