AM backs skaters' plight (From Barry And District News)

AM backs skaters' plight

THE plight of a group of avid young skaters to improve their park has touched Vale AM Jane Hutt.

Jane recently met with the skaters at their St Athan park after she received a letter signed by a 13-year-old girl.

The young girl complained about the lack of the ramps, the condition of the existing ramps, and the fact the ramps were situated near trees, which the youngsters deemed to be dangerous.

Jane said: "I was pleased that young people had contacted me on this important issue. It is great to see them taking a real interest, and when I met with them at the skate park, they certainly knew all about the ramps.

"I believe that children and young people should have as much access to recreational facilities as us adults, and I have contacted the Vale Council to express my concerns about the need to make improvements to the skate park."

The Vale of Glamorgan Council's head of visible services, Miles Punter, said: "The council does not have any current plans to upgrade the skateboard facilities at St Athan, which were built far more recently than other similar facilities in other areas of the Vale.