PLANS for a new skatepark in Fordingbridge are moving ahead.

Fordingbridge Town Council’s amenities committee met at the end of March to discuss the proposals to replace the skatepark at the Recreation Ground.

The committee recommended Maverick were the company chosen to carry out the project.

Cllr Alan Lewendon said: “What we have to remember is all of them were saying this is just a suggested design - we can build around whatever the kids want. For that reason all we have got to look at is which company we feel most confident with.”

He added: “There were two other things that appealed to me about Maverick. One is they can help with financing and also I think they can landscape it into the park and the rest of the recreation ground which makes it much more appealing than just a slab-sided thing that we have got at the moment.”

A consultation was held last year with residents and the companies then made presentations to the town council.

A budget of £120,000 has been set for the project.

Amenities committee chairman, Councillor Paul Anstey thanked every one involved in the skatepark project but said “there is still a long way to go”.

The committee’s recommendation was due to be put forward to the finance and policy committee last night. If approved by the town council a meeting would then be held with Maverick and the user group to discuss re-designing the skatepark plans.

Speaking after the meeting mayor, Cllr Malcolm Connolly, said: “The process has taken a little longer than anticipated but is moving ahead with as much urgency as we can afford it at this time.

“The original skatepark has brought an enormous amount of joy and entertainment to previous and existing users and we hope by changing the skatepark and its design that it will continue to be as popular as it has ever been.”