Plans for new skate park put to residents once again

Council plans to build a new skate park in Blackwood is being put to residents once again.

An initial consultation into the new skate park on the Showfield was carried out in September last year, but Caerphilly County Borough Council will now be holding a “more comprehensive exercise” over the coming weeks.

When asked why the consultation was being run for a second time, a council spokesperson told Caerphilly Observer: “It was decided that the responses received during the first round of consultation weren’t sufficient to represent the views of the whole community, so we hope to encourage greater feedback this time.”

The council has appealed for Blackwood and Cefn Fforest residents to share their views, even if they already did so last year.

In a statement, the council said the proposed concrete skate park, which is planned to go next to the playpark and outdoor gym, would be “robust and practically vandal-proof, as well as being quieter than a metal alternative”.

The council is investing in new skate parks across the borough as part of its Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme, which the council say is seeing £260m invested into improving council housing throughout the borough.

New skate parks have been built across the borough as part of the programme, with Ty Sign, Penyrheol, Penllwyn, Graig y Rhacca and Porset Park having benefitted so far.

New facilities are also planned in Oakdale, Cefn Hengoed, Maesycwmmer, Springfield, Phillipstown, Bargoed and Gelligaer.

The council statement continued: “The designs would be similar to several others being installed, as part of the WHQS programme, in communities throughout the county borough; and would offer young people a safe and accessible, outdoor space to use skateboards, scooters and bikes.”

Residents can submit their views on the proposals through the council’s website.