SKATEBOARDERS and BMX riders say they feel “cheated” after an area they have used for more than 30 years was flattened without warning.

BMX fanatic Tom O’Boyle said about 100 people on skateboards and BMX bikes used the raised concrete humps at the back entrance of the Broad marsh banks every week.

But the young people who turned up to the site on Monday found contractors flattening it.

Broadmarsh owners Westfield say they want to make the area more suitable for shoppers and fit in with the Nottingham Contemporary art gallery.

But the skaters and BMXers say it is still the best place in the city to enjoy the pastime due to its lighting and distinctive humps.

They will stage a protest against the demolition at 1pm tomorrow.

“It’s come as a massive shock to anyone involved with skateboarding or bike riding,” said Tom, who has ridden on skate parks across the world.

“I feel very cheated to be honest. We have always been willing to accept it if the Broadmarsh did expand or the trams, but for it just to be taken away out of the blue is such a shock.

“If you go down there at weekends or week nights it’s full of kids riding bikes or skateboards. It’s made a positive impact on the area.

“It’s the only place in the city where you can go at night and ride and know it’s OK. There are small parks out of town, but nothing really floodlit, nothing with any cover.”

Tom said people from across the country have come to use the area and he has been riding there for more than ten years.

“You could always go there at any time, it was an accepted area. It just happened to be almost as good as a skate park. There’s going to be people with nowhere to go now.

“What they should have done is consult with people that use it, talk about how to improve it and tidy up the area.

“The best thing we can ask for is a big skate park in Nottingham city. This is what we are going to try and fight for.”

Alan Cairns, 28, of Sneinton, rides a BMX and has been using the area for about 11 years. He said: “I usually go down there between 6pm and 10pm and at weekends there can be 30 to 40 kids there.

“I’m completely gutted. There isn’t anywhere else for us to go. If I want to go to a proper park I would have to go to Corby, Birmingham or Leeds.

“It’s a shame a city of this size does not have these facilities. This needs to be addressed or the ones we have need to be improved.”

A Westfield spokesman said: “The works are part of a wider scheme to improve the look and feel of this area. We have listened to the views of our shoppers and local residents who have expressed their desire for a refurbishment of this important route to make it more attractive and in keeping with the new arts centre.”

The works are also designed to improve links between the bus station and Canal Street, Cliff Road and the soon to re-open Garners Hill.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to the local area and we hope everyone who uses this part of town will be pleased with the results,” the spokesman added.
Courtesy: This Is Nottingham. Co. Uk