Diss Town Council considers future of damaged skate park

Diss Town Council is considering whether the facility is worth the expensive upkeep as the local taxpayer faces shouldering fees of around £13,000. 

The skate park in Shelfanger Road was revamped five years ago but has since required a series of improvement works.

Now, the council has temporarily shut the park due to damaged equipment and is questioning whether usage of the site "justifies" such high costs. 

Diss skate park pictured in 2006 (Image: Angela Sharpe) The sudden closure has sparked backlash on social media with more than 250 people joining a Facebook group campaigning to save the site. 

Diss Town Council said it took the decision to close the skate park amid safety concerns and "considerable repairs" being required. 

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The council spent around £20,000 on revamping the facility and installing new equipment in 2020 and a further £4,500 on replacement boards in 2022 due to these being worn down. 

More repair works are now forecast to cost up to £13,200. 

The skate park has been used by local youngsters for many years (Image: Bill Smith) A spokesman for the council said: "Before spending such funds, we want to be assured that the usage justifies such expenditure and that the recommended repairs will suit user needs.

"We only knew of a few people who use the facility, and we understand from the comments on Facebook that many users are not from Diss."

Despite fury spreading on social media, the council stressed there has been "no discussion" around permanent closure of the facility and instead suggested it might consider building a concrete skate park that requires less maintenance. 

It has launched a public consultation on the skate park and the surrounding facilities and will use feedback from members of the public to decide how to proceed. 

The sports ground and skate park site is owned by Diss Town Council and is used by local clubs for football and athletics.

The upkeep of these facilities is funded through council tax paid by locals.