Liverpool get their skates on

THREE skate parks are set to be built-in Liverpool for young people to use.

Mayor Joe Anderson announced last year that he had allocated £1.5 million of capital funding to be invested in schemes for young people.

Consultation has now taken place with more than 1,000 young people about the preferred location of the skate parks, as well as their design and use.

Feedback has shown they want the sites – which they have dubbed “wheeled sports parks” – to be able to be used by scooters and BMX bikes as well as roller skates and skateboards, and be suitable for all abilities.

They will be located across the city, with potential sites in Everton, Dingle Bank, Newsham Park in Tuebrook and Otterspool all being investigated to see which are most suitable. A smaller site is also set to be created at in Norris Green.

Mayor Anderson (middle) with skateboarders Lewis Golby (right) and Phil Cahill (left)

Mayor Anderson said: “We desperately need more good quality facilities that our young people can use and the feedback we have had demonstrates there is overwhelming support for this type of facility.

“No-one knows young people better than young people themselves, which I why I wanted them to drive this scheme.

“I am passionate about making sure that they get the opportunity to influence projects that will benefit their age group.”

The move follows a campaign by a group of young people, who have been supported by Merseyside Youth Association (MYA), calling for the introduction of skate parks.

Lewis Golby, aged 18, said: “I’m really pleased that progress is being made. There is a massive demand for skate parks in Liverpool and they can’t open soon enough.”

Phil Cahill, aged 19, added: “At the moment we have to go outside the city and the overwhelming response to our campaign shows there’s no doubt something like this is much-needed. I am really pleased with the way it has turned out.”

Liam Corcoran, a youth worker at MYA, said: “This is a great example of the local authority taking note of the views of young people and working with them to make dreams become a reality. We would like to thank everyone involved in the project so far.”

A final decision on exact locations will be made shortly and it is hoped that, subject to planning approval, work on the first site could start in spring.