SIR - I write in response to the article in the last edition about the skate plaza. The council provides a wide variety of leisure opportunities for young people of all ages but we can only spend within our budget. It would be very irresponsible to say th

SIR - I write in response to the article in the last edition about the skate plaza.

The council provides a wide variety of leisure opportunities for young people of all ages but we can only spend within our budget. It would be very irresponsible to say that we are going ahead with the skate park when the funding is not in place.

A partnership approach is often the best way to achieve the level of funding a project like this requires. We see this as a great opportunity for local businesses to get involved in providing a facility which will keep our young people active. If businesses would like to support a Stevenage skate park please telephone 01438 242242.

In the meantime we will continue to work closely with the skate forum in order to develop their feasibility studies in terms of appropriate site location and funding options. I think it is fantastic that the skate forum have organised a petition and look forward to receiving it.

SUE MYSON

Executive Councillor for Community and Culture

SIR - I would like to thank Richard Young for the very positive article in this weeks' Comet regarding skateboarding. This is exactly the kind of publicity these kids need and if you would like any more information, any time, please feel free to contact me. Would it be possible to make a small correction though, the name of the skate forum is The MBA/Skate Forum not Stevenage Skate Forum and also would it be possible to mention that a skater called Steve Nash actually collected around 800 signatures himself. I feel that he deserves more credit for the petition than I do.

JIM BRECKENRIDGE

Ferrier Road

Stevenage

SIR - The police and borough council are going completely the wrong way to crack down on so-called anti-social skateboarders in Stevenage.

The council and police have branded skateboarding anti-social and have decided to give ABCs (Anti-social Behaviour Contracts) for the first time of being caught skateboarding in the town centre. This includes a letter home for under 18s and a fine for over 18s.

For the second time of being caught you get a straight-off Anti-social Behaviour Order (informally known as an ASBO)

Targeting skateboarders in Stevenage is not a way to abolish anti-social behaviour, it is simply alienating our skateboarding community. I am a part of this skateboarding community, we are of all ages. Do you ever see 10-year-olds and 24-year-olds mix when playing football or any other mainstream sport? Have you ever seen a 10-year-old child learn skateboard tricks from a 24-year-old? Yes, it happens every day in the streets where we all get issued ABCs and ASBOs, the police are attempting to destroy something with so much potential.

The answer is simple, build us a skate plaza. There are 2,000 (and counting) signatures! There are 2,000 plus signatures of the people of Stevenage who obviously want this, whether it is to skate, spectate or to get skaters off the streets. It is needed and it is needed now. We have been trying for this skate plaza for way too long!

Skateboarding can also be very dangerous. By helping us get the skate plaza you will be helping everyone's safety in Stevenage town centre because skateboarding can be very dangerous and if we are off the streets and into a skate plaza the pedestrians will be safe.

Please show your support if you care for the safety of anyone in the town centre.

To show your support just go into Wheelyboard skate store in Stevenage indoor market and sign the petition, your support will be greatly appreciated by everyone. Thank you.

SEAN LUKE

Aged 15

Stevenage