TOWN councillors in Marlborough are having second thoughts about paying for an environmental assessment before a skateboard ramp is provided at Rabley Wood View.

All local authorities are being wary about providing new facilities like skateboard parks and ramps that could cause disturbance to neighbours.

Devizes Town Council had to remove a skateboard park in Hillworth Park after one resident complained about noise from it.

Similarly in Chippenham new skateboard facilities had to be removed following complaints from residents about their lives being disturbed. Both Devizes and Chippenham are still looking for suitable areas away from homes to provide skateboard facilities.

The Rabley Wood View Residents' Association has asked Marlborough town council if a skateboard ramp can be provided on the existing play area.

On Monday the town council finance and general purposes committee was told that an environmental survey would cost about £3,500.

Coun Hilary Cripps said: "The residents association has not asked the town council for any money and this would be one way we could show our appreciation for what they are putting into their community."

Coun Richard Allen said legal action had been taken against councils because skateboard facilities had been erected without any environmental studies being carried out.

Coun Allen said he believed the town council should pay for the environmental study to show its support for the Rabley Wood View community.

However Coun Stewart Dobson said he doubted if having an environmental survey carried out would prevent any legal action if residents were upset.

Coun Dobson said: "Surely common sense ought to be the order of the day.

"We have had a skateboard ramp at the St Margaret's Mead recreation ground for a number of years and had no problems."

Coun George Worby questioned whether skateboard ramps were still popular with youngsters and said the one at St Margarets Mead, near his home, appeared to be little used.

It was agreed to refer the item back to the recreation and amenities committee for further discussion.