Skate park fears

RESIDENTS opposed to the skate park development in St John s Road Playing Field in Ely met their MP at the proposed site on Friday. Jim Paice, MP for South-East Cambridgeshire, visited the newly-formed Friends of St John s Road Playing Field Association t

RESIDENTS opposed to the skate park development in St John's Road Playing Field in Ely met their MP at the proposed site on Friday.

Jim Paice, MP for South-East Cambridgeshire, visited the newly-formed Friends of St John's Road Playing Field Association to listen to its views on a development which has divided the community.

Mr Paice said: "While it is right that young people are given things to do, the council must address the concerns of local residents who fear that the new skate park will act as a magnet to anti-social behaviour."

"I am asking individual councillors to meet with residents to discuss their concerns."

Mr Paice was also joined by district councillor Bill Pickess.

Chairman of the association, Art Kelleway, said: "The meeting that we had was very useful - it was encouraging that our MP should take such a deep interest in our affairs."

Work on the new multiball and skate park is set to begin in the middle of next month. The Ely Youth Council has welcomed the move and Ely mayor, Cllr Bryant Watson, has maintained that the needs of as many local people as possible will be met by the development.

The association, however, has vowed to continue its fight against the plans.

"Our resolve in opposition is still as strong as it's ever been," Mr Kelleway said.