A PROPOSED skate park in Worcester is "urgently required" if the city is to become a safer place.

The Perdiswell Skate Park project is still months away from being built for skateboarders and skaters in the city.

Worcester City councillors heard that the scheme would help reach its targets of providing reassurance and helping vulnerable communities.

It was discussed alongside the Community Safety Strategy during a meeting of the Executive Board.

"The police have told us it's urgently required," said Councillor Stephen Inman.

"It's not going to come to fruition immediately but everything points to it being on course to go through the system.

"We've got to encourage people to go somewhere like this otherwise there's going to be a nuisance and annoyance to others.

"There's nothing worse than noise, apart from the physical fear of people roaring up on their skateboard."

Championed

The scheme has been championed by Coun Derek Prodger, who said the project had been granted £10,000 by the Safer Worcester Partnership.

Youngsters are being asked to have their say on the proposals by members of Perdiswell Skatepark Project's consultation sub-group.

"It's going to take another year before it's ready," said Coun Prodger. "It's not just putting it on to the site but making sure everybody's on board and supporting that particular scenario."

A consultation process is now under way to find out if the site, next to the Perdiswell Young People's Club, is the best place for the ramps.

They will then approach professional ramp constructors to build the facility.

"The trick we've got to do is provide facilities which don't appear to be too formal," said Coun Geoff Williams.

"Part of the ethos is precisely the informality that goes with it."

The Safer Worcester Partnership is a team of representatives from Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council, other district councils, police, health bodies and other private, public and voluntary groups.