SKATEBOARDERS and BMX riders, fed up with being moved off the streets, could be on their way to getting a proper skate park in Kesgrave.But around £20,000 is needed to set it up and fanatics are being called on to get involved and help raise the much-needed funds for the popular sport.

By Jessica Nicholls

SKATEBOARDERS and BMX riders, fed up with being moved off the streets, could be on their way to getting a proper skate park in Kesgrave.

But around £20,000 is needed to set it up and fanatics are being called on to get involved and help raise the much-needed funds for the popular sport.

Martlesham and Kesgrave youngsters are forced to travel as far away as Colchester and Debenham to be able to enjoy their sport without causing a danger to other people.

But now a campaign has been launched to build a proper skate park away from residential areas to allow fanatics to keep up with their sport - and the fundraising must begin.

Councillors in Kesgrave were approached when Martlesham Community Council found there was no land left available in their own village.

Now a piece of land is being set aside in Kesgrave for a skateboard park and BMX track but it could cost between £17,000 and £20,000 to properly equip it.

The campaign was spearheaded by skater, 15-year-old Max Scott who approached Martlesham Community Council with a list of around 200 names he had collected of people who wanted a park.

Although no land could be found, he was not deterred and now his mum Rosy Scott has joined his fight and went with him to approach Kesgrave Town Council instead.

Mrs Scott from Martlesham is also a member of Martlesham Community Council, who are involved in the campaign, and is fed up with young people getting a bad press.

She said: "I feel strongly about young people being disenfranchised.

"A lot of the boys get moved on when they skateboard out in the community, so they move somewhere else and get moved on from there as well."

Plans are still very much in the early stages but Mrs Scott is hoping that everyone who wants to use the park will get involved to give it the best possible chance of going ahead.

She also wants those people who will actually be using the park to have input all the way through to say what is needed – particularly older skaters and riders who work and do not have the benefit of the school grapevine.

She said: "We want them to have input all the way with this and want them to have pride in it.

"Hopefully it will cover the Kesgrave High School catchment area so everyone from the area can use it.

"I am anxious that it is not just for Kesgrave users."

n Anyone who wants to be involved in setting up the park or can help raise desperately needed funds should call Rosy Scott on 01473 610440 or e-mail her on rosy.scott@talk21.com