MEMBERS of SkateInSafety, a group of skaters and parents campaigning for a new Chippenham skatepark, have taken one more tentative step closer to their dream.

Meeting with residents of The Paddocks in Chippenham, they discussed the issues of building a new skatepark on land at Westmead playing fields, near to Avenue La Fleche.

SkateInSafety founder Mike Connolly said: "It was a very encouraging meeting.

"The residents who live in The Paddocks do have concerns about increased noise, as they already live close to a busy road. But we talked about those concerns and took them on board. We will now be moving forward with those concerns in mind.

"We are still hopeful that with the right plans and preparations, Westmead could house a skatepark that everyone is happy with."

The young skaters involved in SkateInSafety have also been doing their bit to further the cause, by preparing ideas and diagrams of the kind of park that they would like to see built.

"There is a way to go, but we want to make sure that when the time comes for action on the skatepark, we are as prepared as we can be," said Mr Connolly.

"So we are looking at jumps and ramps and collecting quotes from builders.

"These young skaters have already had to wait a long time for a new park to be built and we want to make sure that the ball can be set rolling as soon as possible."

If plans for a new skatepark at Westmead are approved, it will be the culmination of a drama that has spanned more than two years and has seen more twists and turns than many of the skaters themselves.

The proposed site, an unused area of grassland inside Westmead playing fields, is bordered by the River Avon and busy Avenue La Fleche.

The land was previously discounted by North Wiltshire District Council because it is on the flood plain. But the Borough Lands charity, which owns the site, believes flooding is a minor risk and that the site fulfilled most of the criteria laid down by the council.

The campaigners were obviously over the moon. But it seems there is still a long way to go.

The plans for a site at Westmead must now be passed by the current tenants of the land, Chippenham Town Council.

In the coming months, the town council will discuss the pros and cons of the scheme, liaising with the Environment Agency about the land's suitability, as well as looking into the existing facilities, and issues of access and noise for residents of The Paddocks nearby.

But SkateInSafety members remain hopeful that they will get their skatepark.

"Westmead still looks like a great site," said Mike Connolly.

"And if things go to plan, it could be the place where Chippenham's young skaters will eventually go to skate and enjoy themselves."