Desperately Seeking A Place To Skate

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Local teens ask Councillors to help them find a suitable skatepark

A group of Brentford teenagers banned from skateboarding in Chiswick are asking Councillors to help them get a decent skatepark in the borough.

The boys were told by security guards that due to health & safety and insurance restrictions, they could no longer use the steps and ledges at Chiswick Business Park.

They called on their local Councillor Ruth Cadbury for help and she took them to meet Ron German of Stanhope, and Kay Chaston of Enjoy Work, the companies behind the Business Park. They explained to the boys why they could not skate on the premises but went on to say that planning gain funds from that development could go towards skating facilities somewhere else, if Councillors agree to this.

The the boys have now written to the Chiswick Area Committee asking for the funds to be used for a skate park, they are also hoping to get more teenagers in Brentford and Chiswick to back the demand for new facilities, through setting up a facebook page called Skatepark in/near Chiswick.

“We found out there is funding that could be used for skating facilities, If local teenagers support our demand for a skateboard park then please join our facebook page” said 14 year old Dan Branston.

He added “The reason we are asking for proper facilities is that skateboarding is very popular and there is no designated space in the area. It is very good exercise and is enjoyed by people of all ages, but particularly teenagers who have very few outdoor facilities – except for football.”

Councillor Cadbury said “Dan and his friends came and asked me for help after they were told they couldn’t skate at Chiswick Business Park. I took them to talk to the management there to find out why this had happened. The boys heard the explanation and were initially disappointed, but cheered up when Ron German told them there was money available that could potentially be spent on skate facilities. I explained about the area committee, and told them who they needed to write to. I am really impressed at their maturity in trying to find a solution to the problem, and hope we can get a much-needed skate-park up and running soon.”

November 24, 2009