Skaters who have set up a DIY-park on the former Central Retail Park have slammed a council byelaw ‘that criminalises skateboarding’.
Members of the 'Gooseside’ group, which is what skaters christened their self-made facility on the derelict land after finding some goose eggs there, have issued a ‘proposal’ to the authority.
The document, which the Manchester Evening News has seen a copy of, lays down a number of challenges to the council. They include ending the ‘byelaw that criminalises skateboarding’, and ensuring any redevelopment of the Central Retail park is skate-friendly.
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Currently, the council byelaw prohibits any person to 'skate, slide or ride on rollers, skateboards, wheels, mechanical contrivances or other equipment in such a manner as to cause danger or nuisance or give reasonable grounds for annoyance to other persons lawfully using the footway or carriageway... [or] in a designated area' across the city centre.
Rule-breakers can be hit with a £500 fine and a summary conviction. However, Gooseside have railed against that.
“Our proposal for the redevelopment of the Central Retail Park advocates for the provision of skate-friendly street furniture in the public realm sector,” the proposal says. “This is based off research showing how the social benefits of skateboarding align with many of the key development objectives outlined in the Strategic Regeneration Framework for the site as well as the more general Core Strategy Development Framework for Manchester.
“Gooseside DIY should serve as a case study for removing the byelaw that criminalises skateboarding, and encouraging greater tolerance of skateboarding in the city centre. Many of the issues associated with skateboarding can be eliminated by considering skateboarding in the design stage of urban development, rather than by spending extra money on hostile exclusionary tactics.”
A statement from Gooseside went on to say that, although positive changes had been made in recent weeks, more work needs to be done. It said: "We appreciate the work that some of the council officers of Manchester City Council have been doing to support skateboarding initiatives, including the allowance of skating at the Central Retail Park and Lincoln Square and introducing the skate tolerant blocks on Thomas Street.
"Although these are steps in the right direction, more work needs to be done to sustainably create a healthy, social and a communal city space for everyone, including skateboarders."
In response to the proposal, a council spokesperson said: "We agree that skateboarding can have some really positive impacts. The social benefits of being part of a strong community of likeminded people is great - and we of course encourage young people to exercise and be active. However, in our busy city centre, we need to make sure there is a balance in our public spaces to be used for a range of activities and for people to enjoy them safely and peacefully.
"In recent years we have invested in building safe and secure skate parks in many of our parks, with each site including elements that are unique to Manchester - and each park complements each other, meaning skaters can get a different experience at each location. In the city centre there is also the Projekts MCR skate park, which also offers training sessions.
"MCRactive is also working with partners to develop a long-term investment strategy for action sports in the city, including looking at further provision for indoor and outdoor skating facilities."
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