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New skate park for Sworder's Field delayed yet again over problems with foundations and drainage




Frustrated users of Bishop's Stortford's skate park have been told the construction of a long-awaited new facility has been delayed yet again and is unlikely to be finished until September.

Construction work began on a new skate park at the beginning of May as part of a £3.5m revamp of Sworder's Field and Castle Park and that led to the fencing off and closure of a large section of Sworder's Field.

The work was expected to take 12 weeks, which would mean it could be reopened just as the school holidays began.

Castle Park, Bishop's Stortford. Progress on the skatepark upgrade appears to have ground to a halt before it got going. .Pic: Vikki Lince. (58425532)
Castle Park, Bishop's Stortford. Progress on the skatepark upgrade appears to have ground to a halt before it got going. .Pic: Vikki Lince. (58425532)

It had already been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic which also caused costs to increase by £1.6m, leading to frustration from the skateboarders and scooter riders who use the park.

But work was stalled on the project, which is being realised in a partnership between Bishop's Stortford Town Council and East Herts Council, with support from Herts County Council and funding from the National Lottery.

After Simon Marlow asked a question on Bishop's Stortford Civic Federation Facebook group the town council responded saying foundation and drainage problems had caused the delay.

Progress on the skate park upgrade has been delayed by problems with foundations and drainage. Pic: Vikki Lince. (58426087)
Progress on the skate park upgrade has been delayed by problems with foundations and drainage. Pic: Vikki Lince. (58426087)

The statement on Facebook said: "We actually considered delaying the start of works until later in the year, but the skating community, who we consulted, were very keen for us to get on with it even though this risked the build spilling into the holidays.

"Unfortunately shortly after we commenced the work it was discovered that the old part of the skate park had only partial foundations so it was necessary to halt work, undertake some tests, and eventually dig most of it up as well. This extended the build period. There were also some problems with drainage which, fortunately, have now been solved."

Work on the skate park which started in May saw a large section of Sworder's Field fenced off. Pic: Vikki Lince. (58425527)
Work on the skate park which started in May saw a large section of Sworder's Field fenced off. Pic: Vikki Lince. (58425527)

The statement continued: "The works have now restarted but will now not complete until September, although there is a possibility that it might be possible to reopen the half-pipe earlier."

Skate park user Luke Stokoe, who has liaised with the council over the design of the new facility, revealed his frustration to the Indie: "It makes me look an idiot. I told so many people is was going to be completed at the end of July.

"It seems like they are constantly delaying everything. It's getting to the point I'm looking to give up."

Scooter rider Luke Stokoe says the delay to the new skate park has made him feel like giving up. Pic: Vikki Lince. (58471263)
Scooter rider Luke Stokoe says the delay to the new skate park has made him feel like giving up. Pic: Vikki Lince. (58471263)

Another Stortford skater Ben Ellis who became hooked on the sport in his 40s said he was sad for the teenagers who were missing out.

"There's a skip with a load of rubble - it looks like they were trying to put something in and then it stopped," said Ben.



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