THE skatepark behind the Oasis Leisure Centre has been neglected to such an extent that it is now posing a danger to young people.

That is the warning issued by the team at the ATBShop and Skate Warehouse, based a short distance away on the Hawksworth Trading Estate.

ATB co-owner Diana Kirk was at the forefront of a campaign to save the skatepark in 2015 when developers unveiled plans for the North Star site that would have seen it wiped off the map.

While repeated failures to progress with plans for a ski slope and arena complex mean the skatepark is still there, confusion reigns over who is responsible for its upkeep and maintenance.

Swindon Borough Council says it is part of the land leased to Moirai Capital, the company that is supposed to be responsible for delivering the North Star project.

Moirai contract out all leisure operations at the site to GLL, but a spokesman for GLL said the skatepark was never included in their remit and so is not their responsibility.

The confusion means that what could be a valuable free resource for young people is rapidly falling into a state of disrepair.

Recent vandalism has also seen pieces of equipment damaged to the point where parts of the park are now unsafe.

“It’s been years since I’ve seen anyone down here doing any work,” said Diana.

“Someone needs to take responsibility. They wouldn’t even need to fund it. There are organisations out there that want to help projects like this.

“We’ve been offered support from companies and grants in principle and we’d like to be given the opportunity to help make it happen.

“We don’t even know if there is any insurance policy down there. What happens if one of the kids get hurt?

“I’m really concerned - at our skatepark where there are high parts we have barriers to stop people falling.

“One of the barriers here has been torn off and it only takes one kid to step to the side and they’ll fall and break a leg.

“The coping is pulling up too, leaving some sharp edges, that could slice into someone’s leg quite easily.”

Despite running a business which includes a skatepark so near to the Oasis site, Diana believes it is important to look at the whole community to make sure that everyone, even those who may not be able to afford to pay to skate or ride scooters, have somewhere that is safe and enjoyable to go.

“This is something we’re really passionate about,” she said. “It just isn’t fair on children. Not everyone can afford to travel to places like Calne or Cirencester where they look after their skateparks.

"You couldn’t get a better location than this but what’s happening right now isn’t good enough.”

Harry Calvert, who works at ATBShop, has been able to turn his passion for extreme sports such as BMX riding into a career.

But he says that would never have been possible without the supportive, productive environment of his local skatepark growing up.

"It makes me so angry to see this," said Harry. "I really believe that having good skateparks and places for kids to go is so important.

"The one I had growing up was smaller than this - with a bit of effort the Oasis one could be ideal, it's a perfect space and it could be one of the best in Wiltshire.

"The main reason so many of the youth in Swindon end up just hanging about the town and acting like idiots is because they've got nothing to do, nowhere to go.

"Not everyone can afford to pay to skate or travel out of town. This place could be great if anyone bothered with it."

Harry said he feels that if the kids who use the Oasis skatepark could see the powers that be investing in it and showing an interest, then the skatepark community itself would ensure that it was respected and well maintained.

Instead, in the current situation, neglect feeds neglect which leads to incidents such as the safety fencing being ripped off.

Moirai Capital were unreachable when the Adver tried to contact them for a comment in relation to this story.