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Safety fears as 'safe haven' skatepark left unlit

Shariqua Ahmed
News imageRikki Hughes A man on roller blades, wearing a black shirt and black trousers performing a stunt on a wall. Two people can be seen in the background on scooters. The lights on top can be seen switched off while the place looks dark.Rikki Hughes
The skate park is well used by skateboarders and BMX riders between the ages of 25 and 42 years

Skatepark users said a lack of lighting was putting them at "serious risk" and forcing some to travel elsewhere.

The lights at the facility in Hampton Hargate, Peterborough, have reportedly been out of order since August, and regular users said repeated attempts to contact the council have so far failed to resolve the issue.

Ricky Hughes, who uses the Hampton Park site several times a week, said the park was a "safe haven" for many, but without lighting it becomes unusable and unsafe after dark.

Angus Ellis, Labour's cabinet member for environment and transport, said Peterborough City Council understood "residents' frustration" over the broken lightning and was working to replace them.

"We are currently obtaining quotes from our supply chain to enable us to replace the lights as soon as possible," Ellis said.

News imageRikki Hughes Rikki, a man, wearing a blue adidas jersey and black shorts and a round blue hat and purple shoes, squatting on the ground covered with graffiti.Rikki Hughes
Rikki Hughes, 35, said skaters were being forced to travel to other parks, including Corby in Northamptonshire, just to practise safely

Hughes, 35, said he was annoyed the issue was taking so long to resolve, having first reported it on 22 August

"There's about 10 of us most Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on Sundays it's packed with kids," he said.

"For some, it's a safe haven... a place to escape what's going on at home. Having no lights is a joke, especially when no-one seems willing to address it.

"The safety issue is massive - once the lights go off and you can't see properly, missing a trick can have life-threatening consequences."

'Close calls'

Liam Hunt, 38, from Yaxley, said he usually visits in the evenings because of his work schedule and recently raised the issue at a Hampton Parish Council meeting.

"Skateparks are already dangerous, but at night it's worse because the lighting is so dim. The lack of lighting is a nuisance," he said.

"It's frustrating to see an empty 3G pitch just behind it fully lit, while the skatepark, which people are eager to use, is left in the dark.

"There have been a few close calls and it makes you wonder who would be at fault if something happened - us skaters for using the park when it's not fully working, or the council for not maintaining it properly?"

News imageRikki Hughes A grey concrete skatepark bowl - shaped like a kidney dish. It has colourful graffiti covering the inside walls. Behind it is the grass park, with some trees.Rikki Hughes
The skatepark in Hampton Hargate is a concrete plaza-style park with bowl built in 2015

The parish council said maintenance of the skatepark and its lighting is the city council's responsibility, but despite repeated reports and follow-ups, no action had been taken.

John Howard, who represents Hargate and Hampstead on the city council, said he had been chasing the issue.

"Hampton is a complex area. We have areas managed by the builders, by the council, and by O & H Hampton," he said.

"I have been assured our council's property team will respond to me this week."

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