A meeting held last week to discuss the damaged surface of the St Neots skateboard ramp has been described as “positive” by skateboard enthusiast Joe Gacon.

Mr Gacon launched a Facebook campaign in July after discovering deep grooves, caused by peeling paint, in the surface of the ramp which is situated at the town’s Riverside Park. He told The Hunts Post that paint had been applied in layers over several years and was probably four millimetres deep in places and beginning to break down and lift off, which had left the surface uneven and dangerous to ride.

A meeting, supported by district and county councils, was held at the Bargroves Centre on October 7 and a Revamp the Ramp Group was set up to raise funds for repairs and discuss the best way forward.

Mr Gacon described the meeting as positive and is appealing for volunteers to help with a “ramp scrape off” this weekend.

“We are appealing for members of the public to join us and do a bit of paint scraping,” he said.

“Without the old paint being removed it is impossible to skateboard the ramp which is a huge waste because the ramp is still structurally sound.”

Revamp the Ramp’s Sam Curtin added: “Now we are up and running, we are in the process of setting up a community bank account so we can accept donations.

It’s great to know that all the local agencies are 100 per cent behind this initiative, let’s hope the locals will turn up this weekend and pitch in.”

Anyone interested in helping out should go down to the ramp between 10am and 4pm. Protective clothing will be supplied.

The ramp was opened in 1989 by a group called the St Neots Pirates and in 2006 it was refurbished with funding from HDC and a grant from the National Lottery.

“Since the first ramp was built in 1989 it has provided a positive outlet for the local youth to go and vent their frustration and better themselves,” said Mr Gacon.

Cllr Robin Carter, whose executive responsibilities include parks and countryside, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to successfully engage with local users of the skate ramps to ensure this popular facility continues to be one of St Neots’ major attractions. This community event will be held this weekend to support HDC in the maintenance of this essential facility.”

Many thanks,