Labour councillor thanked as skatepark reopens after ramp refurbishments

Work to install four refurbished ramps at Southport’s skatepark is now complete and the much-loved community asset back open.

Specialist skate ramp builders used their expertise to repair and refurbish the structures which needed extensive works to replace the specially shaped boards and plates.

The repair works had been agreed over the winter after a campaign launched by Mike Marsh and other members of the skate community was spotted by Kew Ward Councillor Sean Halsall.

Sean said: “It’s so good to finally see the work here completed, I first saw a petition on social media launched by Mike and reached out to see how I could help. With the great work and vision from Sefton’s leadership the plans to replace the ramps got agreed pretty quickly”.

Sean added: “It’s so so important we invest in the towns young people, giving them a space to socialise and engage in the sports they love. I’m proud to be a member of Sefton’s Labour group still managing to deliver things like this even in the face of the absolutely brutal cuts from this government”

Local skater and activist Mike Marsh said: “I’m absolutely made up this work has been done now, this all started last November. I didn’t really know where to start but id set up a petition that spread across social media at first. It wasn’t long before Sean contacted me and the new surfaces got agreed very quickly.

“It means so much that the community that use the park have this for years and years to come. I’d never thought about speaking to local councillors before, but seeing how effective the local Labour councillors are, I know where to go with a problem in the future!”

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “I’m thrilled that the skate park is now back up and running. I’m sure both the established skating community and those looking to try out the sport for the first time will be excited to test the ramps and make the most of the lighter evenings now that summer has arrived.

“Our Green Sefton team has set up a rolling maintenance programme with the ramp specialists, who carried out the improvement works, to ensure that the park remains in top condition for people to practice their tricks.

“We’re also really excited about showcasing the refurbished park later this summer as we hope to host a special skateboard ‘jam’ event that could attract competitors from across the country, really putting Southport on the map for it’s great skateboarding facilities.”

The skatepark opened in 2003 and has undergone inevitable wear and tear repair works every few years as part of Green Sefton’s regular maintenance of the facility.