HALF a million pounds will be spent on revamping two Basildon skateparks while council bosses are looking to find a site in Laindon for a new facility.

It is hoped that improving the current skateparks and creating an additional one will help keep children off the streets and away from crime.

Basildon Council has agreed to replace the skateparks in Northlands Park, Pitsea and Lake Meadows in Billericay costing a combined £500,000, while a new site will be identified in Laindon.

There are currently five skateparks in the borough, with the three at Gloucester Park, Nevendon Road, and Markhams Chase, undergoing full refurbishments in recent years to replace the previous structures with new concrete ones.

Pat Rackley, 71, from Laindon said: “A skate park could work at the green space off Leinster Road in Laindon or possibly at Victoria Park off Victoria Road.

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“My granddaughter loves a skatepark and these places would be nearer to her and I think she’d like to go with friends.

“Anything that helps gets kids outdoors more and not stick in starring at screens has to be a good thing.

“It’s good to see more facilities like this coming froward for children and I think families will very much welcomed this.”

Chairman of the leisure and environment committee, Craig Rimmer, said: “These new skateparks will stand as a real community hub for our borough’s adventurous young people and will be state-of-theart facilities that residents and us as a council can be really proud of.

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“We’ve also committed to exploring the building of a new skate park in Laindon – as we want to improve youth provision across the whole borough, to make sure all are able to access these fantastic and free facilities.

“The existing skatepark in Lake Meadows was shamefully burnt down – and concrete provides the best fire resistance of any building material. So these skateparks will be built to last and be enjoyed by residents for many years to come.”