Proposed improvement to skateboard park in Steeple Claydon

On Thursday 9th December the Buckingham Local Area Forum will consider and decide on an application for a grant of £ 3,000 to repair and upgrade the skateboard park in Steeple Claydon recreation ground. I shall do what I can to support this request.

From the meeting Agenda:

Steeple Claydon Skate Park - £3,000

The Steeple Claydon skate park was installed by a small group of parents in the village in October 2005, with the backing of the Parish Council, using money given by Steeple Claydon villagers and grants from the Police, Bucks County Council, Shanks McEwan, Aylesbury Vale District Council and other sources The main aim of the team was to install a long lasting structure that would be repairable by local tradesmen.
The ramps were designed and built and installed by Fearless Ramps, all of whom were either BMX bike riders or skateboarders themselves so the park built and designed was suited to these two groups of users. The quality of the design is borne out by its continued high use by BMX bikers, scooter riders, roller bladers, and skate boarders coming from Steeple Claydon, Calvert, Twyford, Buckingham, and Middle Claydon.

A RoSPA report has identified some risks apparent with the current structure:
1. Stopping of open tube ends.
2. Replacing of back panels on the platforms as these are weathering and also subject to minor vandalism.
3. Putting up a sign suggesting the use of suitable clothing and the fact that the Parish Council accepts no responsibility for people injuring themselves while using the ramps.
4. The tarmac surface between two of the ramps is developing holes where the wheels of the boards are wearing it away and weathering is creating cracks so giving weeds
somewhere to sprout.
5. Some of the screws fixing the running surfaces have failed or come out and need
replacing.
6. Two of the ramps’ leading edges have sunk into the surface leaving a step between the ramp and the concrete surface.
7. Rubbish and glass and other items have been allowed to accumulate under the ramps.

From this list quotations have been obtained to cover the works that are too complex to be carried out by a group of volunteers.

Replacing of the platform back panels:
a. quoted £520 for replacing all of the panels.
b. Some of the boards will need replacing within the next year as they weather and
the gap between the underside of the panel and the platform increases due to
the veneers failing and minor vandalism. At a certain size the gap would be
deemed to offer a significant risk e.g. a part of the body or head can get through
the gap.

Removing the existing tarmac between two of the ramps and replacing with power
floated concrete
c. quotes provided £2750.
d. Holes in the tarmac could be filled to reduce the risk to the users, but the
concrete would be a permanent solution and also improve the overall quality of
the skate park from the users’ point of view.
e. Weeds outside of the main ramp area need treating with weed killer.

Boxing in of the ramp furthest from the village
f. quoted £1100.
g. This would prevent children getting under the ramp.

TOTAL BUDGET £4,370
Required LAF Funding £ 3,000

fingers crossed !

Update following meeting:

I am very glad to report that this application was successfully approved at the Local Area Forum meeting on 9th December. Congratulations to all involved.