At last week's town council meeting the council was 100% in favour of the provision of a skate park for the young people in Pershore.

This is long overdue, Evesham and Droitwich have has theirs for some time, and I hear that Cropthorne village is also planning to have one.

Some money has been earmarked for the project, although not yet the full amount, and the money is not available immediately. However the thorn in the side to progress on this is the location of the park.

Abbey park versus an as yet unknown alternative site, possibly near the youth centre seem to be the only options, and the town council intends to fully debate the issue of where it should be. I would like to state my position for clarity.

A recent visit to several parks in the district with other councillors, youth workers and young people themselves was very informative, we were all amazed how quiet and how moderately sized the proposed park is. There will be minimal impact wherever it is sited, especially with careful landscaping.

The most important issue it seems to me now is ensuring that the park is cited correctly, and that it succeeds in taking young people off the streets and car parks into a safer expression of their sport. If the park is hidden away out of sight it will be hard to police and could become an area for drug dealing/taking, and respectable parents will not then allow their children to use the park.

If Abbey park is used, then there will be advantages in terms of the site being open, the cctv cameras to bo installed will also help monitor the area, and the presence of parents and passers by all help to ensure that the site is used correctly.

The park currently provides room for relaxation, football, bowls, and young children's play area, surely it is only fair to allow the young people of the town a little space for their pursuits.

I would ask any residents who are concerned to please try to see the park at Dines Green in Worcester which is of the type being proposed, so they can be assured that they need not worry about the provision of the park in Pershore.

I hope within the next year a decision can be made to go ahead with the park for the sake of the youngsters and the damage currently being done as a result of there being no place for them to go.

Cllr Gaynor Amphlett, Pershore.