Skateboard park raises concerns

The purpose-built park opened to the public in December

The future of a new skateboard park in Jersey could be in doubt after a number of complaints.

Concerns have been raised by Jersey Harbours about the park, on the New North Quay in St Helier, which opened in December.

The authority said tourists and boat owners had highlighted several incidents related to noise and items being thrown into the harbour.

A senior politician said the incidents raise issues which should be addressed.

Assistant Economic Development Minister Paul Routier said even though the area was covered by CCTV, there was a real concern about safety and the reputation of the area.

"The marina currently attracts a lot of tourists to the island and in the last week or so there have been some negative comments from tourists who have left the island saying, to a certain extent, they are not going to come back," he told BBC News.

The purpose-built open air park, which features metal-framed ramps, is managed by Education, Sport and Culture.

The department said the park is checked twice a day by a contractor responsible for its maintenance and cleaning.

In a statement, a department spokesman said: "The great majority of young people using the site are polite and well-behaved, and they simply want to enjoy using the facility and improve their skills at skateboarding.

"Unfortunately there have been a number of incidents of poor behaviour, but this does not reflect the general pattern of usage."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version