Skate shop owner voices concerns over skatepark safety in Carlisle

Harry Palmer, owner of Ten and Fower Skate Shop in Carlisle, is concerned for the safety of skaters at the Bitts Park skatepark.

He reported cracks and holes at the park to Cumberland Council in September but claims that, despite being told repairs had been completed, the damage remains.

Palmer visited the site after receiving an email from the council stating that repairs were finished, yet found it unchanged.

He's now shared a video online illustrating issues such as loose stones and cracks in the concrete.

He said: "With the skate shop opening, and it being in the Olympics, you always get a rise of new skaters or skaters getting back into it.

"If they go down there for the first time, say on a big ramp, and they hit one of these obstacles, they can go straight into the concrete and get injured.

"If people go down to the facilities and get hurt, it can deter them from going back again. People can reach out to us to look for instruction, they want to learn and progress, but how could we facilitate that.

"You've got 50 mm wheels, a small pebble or stone can cause it to lock up and then you take a fall. We try to keep it clean and try put all the rubbish in the bin, if they see rubbish they will put it in the bin."

Cumberland Council said the park is inspected regularly and repairs are planned.