A victim of its own success

It is currently in the overflow car park at the Oasis leisure centre in North Star, and since opening, there have been up to 120 young people at the site each day which may be too many.

Council officers stress that they are overwhelmingly well-behaved, but the noise of the boards has drawn complaints from some residents of nearby houses.

Bill Fisher, assistant chief officer for environmental management with Swindon Services, said: "The Oasis skatepark is a victim of its own success in a way it has been more popular than we hoped."

The current site cost £35,000, but on Wednesday the council's cabinet will consider a proposal to create a new site on land behind the leisure centre.

Council leader Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) said: "The problem we have is how to allow skaters to have their entertainment while at the same time taking into account the needs of local residents and the business community.

The current skate park opened following years of lobbying from skaters, who criticised the fact that a town the size of Swindon had no such site.

Skaters say the ramp's popularity means they have to use a rota system.

"It gets really crowded," said Aaron 'Bam' James. "We need a lot more space. We really like what we've got, and we've got a sort of rota system for when it's too crowded. We all take turns."

Another skater, Dan Martin, said: "We just come to skate. Whenever it gets damaged we get blamed, but it's the other people who come here late at night."

Wednesday's cabinet meeting will be held at the Civic Offices in Euclid Street, beginning at 6pm. All are welcome to attend.