New calls for a Cromer skatepark
Richard BatsonA mobile skatepark could play a vital role in renewing plans for a permanent facility at Cromer, after a previous project was scrapped last year due to local opposition.Richard Batson
A mobile skatepark could play a vital role in renewing plans for a permanent facility at Cromer, after a previous project was scrapped last year due to local opposition.
Local youngsters were left disappointed after a wheeled park scheme, for BMX riders and skateboarders, at Happy Valley, was dropped by funders because of concerns voiced about its location and anti-social behaviour.
But a concerted effort is now under way to revive the idea, including trying to find a new home and funding pot.
In the meantime a mobile skatepark is heading to the town for a day in the Easter holidays.
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Officials will also drop in to get users' views on what and where the facility could be, before fresh moves are made to pinpoint a solution, a suitable site, and ways of paying for it.
The move follows a meeting between the town and district council and Poppyland Partnership, whose co-ordinator Catherine Plewman said: 'Rather look at the history of this issue and all its difficulties, we need to move forward and achieve a positive result.'
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The mobile skatepark will be in town on Wednesday, April 7 on a site still to be confirmed. It is a unit which can be towed behind a saloon car and set up in 30 minutes.
Skaters would be asked about the facility as well as future permanent one, though Mrs Plewman accepted all the sites previously flagged up - including the Meadow and Runton Road car park - had thrown up difficulties because there were people living nearby.
Town council clerk Julie Chance said the aim was to have a steering committee, involving young people too, and to consult the wider public.
There were also plans to talk to the town's youth football club about its plans to establish a ground, and to see if a skatepark could be included.
Skater Andrew Robertshaw who has been running a campaign for a park, welcomed the latest move as 'step forward' but stressed they wanted a fixed site, preferably on the Runton Road carnival field because it had the least affect on neighbours.
