We must not let Oxford's young people down

9.30.21am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 11th Oct 2008

Liberal Democrats on Oxford City Council have forced the city's Labour administration to reconsider their decision not to negotiate with the promoters of a new skatepark in one of the city's parks. At a full council meeting on Monday, a Lib Dem motion to include a new skatepark at Cowley Marsh park in the council's Culture Strategy was passed, despite the Labour group's attempts to block it.

Said Lib Dem group leader Cllr David Rundle: "I think if the council doesn't back this new facility it would be failing the young people of Oxford. It's a really good project, fronted by the Oxford Wheels Project which has been running a very popular and successful skatepark nearby for ten years. They have planning permission, and are raising the necessary funding. It's a disgrace that Labour councillors in the immediate area are trying to wreck this project for short-term political reasons."

Cllr Rundle added: "We recognise that with any development there can be legitimate concerns, but these plans have gone through a rigorous process, and we need facilities like this for young people. Not every young person likes playing football or swimming - skateboarding has proved to be much more than a short-term fad, and Oxford has produced some world-class practitioners."

The existing skateboard park in Meadow Lane in East Oxford was built ten years ago as a temporary facility. Since it is in the floodplain, it is not considered sustainable for the long term. The proposed Cowley Marsh site is in a large and well-used open area, close to regular bus services but a comfortable distance from the nearest housing. Noise tests have shown that the effect on local residents would be minimal.