SKATEBOARDERS are fighting plans to extend fencing around the new skate park at the Harbour.

The Channel Islands Skateboarding Association say that the plans will cut emergency and disabled access to the park and remove needed public parking spaces. But Harbours, who are behind the plans, say that they have been told to put up the fence because of health and safety regulations.

It is not clear when the planning application for the fence will be decided, or whether it will be decided by a Planning officer, the applications panel, or Environment Minister Freddie Cohen. The skate park opened four weeks ago, after the States backed the harbour location despite the protests of the Harbours department.

Temporary fencing has been put up between the skate park and the roads leading to the New North Quay, but that too has created problems. On New Year’s Eve a BMX rider broke his leg at the skate park, but had to wait an extra ten minutes for an ambulance because of the temporary fencing, which had to be removed with bolt-cutters.

• Picture: The temporary fencing at the skate park. Picture by Richard Wainwright (00610478)