Skatepark net to cost £30K amid cricket pitch risk

A council has agreed to spend £30,000 on installing a 50ft (15m) high net to protect a skatepark after it was built too close to a cricket pitch.

Heathervale skatepark, in New Haw, near Addlestone, Surrey, was granted planning permission this year but it became apparent the risks posed by the adjacent cricket club were too great.

Independent studies found a ball could clear the boundary and hit skaters, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Runnymede Borough Council looked at options, including doing nothing, cancelling the cricket season for a year and moving the wicket away from the ramps but ultimately agreed to pay to install the net at the skatepark.

Dom Whyte, joint council leader, told the community services committee last week: "As a council, we made a commitment to our residents some time ago that we would deliver a skatepark.

"I think this is a good solution and fully support the regrettable but necessary cost."

The meeting heard concerns about maintenance costs and potential vandalism, and members asked if the net would create a health and safety risk with people attempting to climb it.

Councillor Pippa Tucker-Brown said: "People are dying for this [skate]park. They talk about it a lot. Let's go for it, we just haven't got time on our side."

Members agreed to a recommendation to approve the spending as a health and safety measure and to ensure the net was installed before Runnymede is dissolved, as part of local council reorganisation in Surrey.

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