Public complaints lead to rivets being put in walls
A PLAN to stop skateboarders disrupting town centre shopping has been launched in New Bridge Square.
But a borough councillor says this is more evidence that Swindon needs a "safe and challenging" skate park for young people to use.
Zurich Financial Services and Swindon Council have teamed up to employ a contractor to install the latest anti skateboarding devices on the low walls surrounding flower beds opposite the Octagon cafe in the Tri Centre.
The area has long been popular with teenage skateboarders who use the low walls for jumps and "grinding" off the edges.
But the square is surrounded by offices belonging to Zurich, one of the town's major employers. It is also a major thoroughfare, linking the town centre to the railway station.
Stainless steel rivets called Trickstops have been installed using industrial adhesive around the flower beds.
The rivets look like steel hooks and are roughly eight inches long and half an inch thick. They make skating impossible because they block the path of boards.
Coun John Taylor (Lab, Central) said the fact that so many youngsters used the area was proof that the council should provide a skate park.
He added: "I am a great supporter of getting a skate park and it is a tragedy that we have not been more proactive in providing one for the town.
"The fact that so many use the site indicates a continuing demand for the borough to have such a facility."
Zurich human resources director Phil Wood said: "As a caring and responsible employer and neighbour, Zurich has a duty to protect the safety of its employees and the general public who use the areas surrounding their buildings.
"Following numerous complaints, we have worked in partnership with the council and made a joint decision to use the `trick stop' rivets on the stone planters and walls."
The skaters have damaged the edges of the walls with their skateboards, and a Zurich employee pointed to a windows which he believed had been broken by the youngsters.
Swindon Council spokesman Gavin Calthrop said the council had responded to concerns from businesses and residents.
He added: "Depending on the success of this scheme we may expand it to further areas.
"We can confirm a planning application has been submitted for a skate park in Haydon Wick."
