STUDLEY’S troubled skate park is to be monitored over Christmas after parents claimed it was unsafe.
Mum of two Rachel Ward told Tuesday night’s parish council meeting the skate park was now ‘like an ice rink’ after it had been coated with anti-graffiti paint.
She said two parents had slipped and fallen after going on it to rescue their child who had also fallen.
“You cannot get any grip to walk up the skate park,” she told councillors.
“The surface is like an ice rink and if the children eventually climb to the top water pools on the surface on a dry or wet day. The paint also leaves an oily residue.
“The skate park has gone from being a busy hive of activity for all ages to being desolate.”
Her comments puzzled parish chairman Councillor Paul Beaman who said he had seen youngsters using the skate park as normal but he acknowledged as this was now a safety issue something had to be done.
Councillors initially decided to fence the skate park off while the surface was examined by their contractor, however a subsequent review of CCTV footage of the skate park showed children happily enjoying the facility.
Coun Beaman said: “We have checked the CCTV and there is clear evidence of the park being safely used by all ages.
“We are therefore reconsidering the decision to shut it as evidence shows there does not appear to be a problem.”
It’s the latest incident at the skate park which had to be repaired at a cost £3,800 after youths scrawled obscene graffiti on it.
In the wake of that episode the parish called in an expert contractor and were advised to use special anti-graffiti paint to solve the problem.
