THE Conservatives on Swindon council have expressed legitimate concern about the financial implications of building several skateboarding parks for young people. The facilities will cost £275,000 to build, plus a substantial annual maintenance bill.

The council must direct money to our schools rather than to politically correct social projects. It should allocate scarce resources to statutory in-school activities, not fanciful out-of-school pastimes.

Well-resourced schools would create a secure and attractive environment in which to offer innovative curricular and extra-curricular activities.

P BATES

Belsay, Swindon