WORK will finally start on Felixstowe's new �180,000 skatepark after Easter, and it should be completed and open for the summer.

WORK will finally start on Felixstowe's new �180,000 skatepark after Easter, and it should be completed and open for the summer.

Skateboarders, BMXers and bladers have been campaigning for the facility for more than 20 years - many of the original campaigners' children are now looking forward to using it.

However, there has been concern at the choice of site - behind Christ Church on Orwell Green, Grange Farm Avenue - and police have pledged to monitor its use along with CCTV cameras.

“I am so pleased that Felixstowe will now be like Woodbridge, Leiston, Framlingham and Wickham Market in having a skatepark for its young people right on their doorstep,” said Suffolk Coastal cabinet member Doreen Savage.

“The facility will give children and teenagers in the town more opportunities to learn new skills, lead active lives, and socialise with their friends.

“Felixstowe has been waiting a long time for this project to get started and I hope the young people it will serve will enjoy the new skatepark and be mindful of local residents when using it.”

Funding has come from Suffolk Coastal, the Outdoor Play Space Fund, Suffolk County Council's Playbuilder Grants, Felixstowe Town Council, Youth Opportunity Fund, Felixstowe Skate Association and last year's town mayor Joan Sennington, who made the skatepark her charity during her term of office.

“Felixstowe skatepark has to be durable, demanding enough for experienced skateboarders, bladers and BMXers and equipped with plenty of space for beginners to develop their skills,” said Mrs Savage.

“We did not want to settle for a design that failed to meet these challenges or the tough conditions we imposed when planning permission was granted to minimise disruption to local residents, so an additional sum was injected into the project by Suffolk Coastal, to bring the total up to �180,000, when it was found that the original sum available was insufficient.”

Six companies tendered for the contract, and Bendcrete Ltd, who built Woodbridge skatepark, was selected for the project.