Petition set up over Newhaven skatepark proposal

Morgan Smith said she discovered this week that the council is planning to remove the coping and replace it with concrete – but she said the decision has been made without any input from skateboarders, scooters, and bmx riders.

“We had no idea this was happening to the skatepark, said Morgan, 20.

“Apparently the coping is being removed because it will go rusty and need replacing every ten years.

“It rusted through the winter because no one uses it at this time but the more you skate on it the rust comes off. And with a lot of people using it now, this is happening.”

Coping is a metal edge that runs along many of the bowls and ramps. It is where skaters perform most tricks.

Morgan said if the coping is removed and replaced with concrete, no one will want to come and use the skate park, which could therefore affect her business.

“Without coping the skate park will not be the same,” she said.

“Also all metal on the grind boxes are apparently being removed.

“No one is going to want to skate if there is no coping. And if it’s concrete it is just going to break away and it will probably cost more money.

“This would not even be an option at the Level in Brighton or Eastbourne or Lewes. How is this going to happen without input of the daily skatepark users?”

Morgan opened her skate shop at West Quay in November, last year. She said business has been booming due to the shop being right next to the skate park and it being the only shop between Eastbourne and Brighton.

The skate park and pump track opened last July. It was built by Clark & Kent Contractors, which constructed the London 2012 Olympic BMX track.

It is funded by Newhaven Town Council and developer contributions from Lewes District Council.

The skatepark and pumptrack has proved popular with youngsters and has been praised for curbing crime and antisocial behaviour in the town.

Morgan said: “This is about the kids as well. We always hear about the crime rate and there being nothing for youngsters to do in Newhaven. We give them something and then take it away.”

A spokesman for Lewes District Council said: “We have not made any final decisions on the coping at the skatepark.

“The coping is a metal edge that runs along many of the bowls and ramps.

“We are reviewing its suitability as there are concerns about how durable it is.

“This may mean replacing it, but there are various options that still need to be assessed.

“We are liaising closely with the contractor that built the skatepark and will consult with users before a solution is agreed.”

See Morgan’s petition here.

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