Youngsters to help build Ludlow skatepark path

Ludlow Town Council has approved the laying of the path between the skatepark and neighbouring multi-use games area in Wheeler Road.

The plans include excavating turf, laying borders and filling in path materials. As much as possible will be done by up to 10 young people aged 13 and upwards, under adult supervision. A sum of £1,500 earmarked for youth engagement projects will be used to complete the scheme.

At a meeting of Ludlow Town Council earlier this week, Rich Morley, head of the South Shropshire Youth Forum, presented a video about the skatepark's activities.

He said: "The plan for this year is a range of activities to look at the needs of that area."

Mr Morley said there was an existing track but "it goes quite narrow in summer". He said the skatepark users "do quite a lot of work on maintaining it themselves".

"But safety is another issue as it's public access, and there is also an issue around litter," he added.

He said he was asking for the town council to get involved with overseeing the project, which would see users of the skatepark, including members of Rockspring Youth Forum, "take ownership of these much-needed improvements".

Taking on the project would promote self-esteem and a work ethic in the young people, he said.

South Shropshire Youth Forum would deal with the recruitment, parental consent and insurance, said Mr Morley. But he asked that town council workers support and supervise the work to ensure it was carried out to the correct standards.

Town councillor Graeme Perks said: "I do think if they were to do something like that it may create a little bit of ownership in the area."

He suggested local businesses could be approached to help.

Vivienne Parry, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow South, said: "It 's very muddy up there. A path would help the local people walking their dogs around there."