THE wheels of protest are in motion over a proposed skateboard park for Bromyard and both sides are due to slug it out at a public meeting tonight, March 14.

Ramp and Rail, a group formed to give the town's young people a safe place to skate, has applied for permission for the project.

But a group of nearby residents are opposing the plan for the Playing Fields - a parcel of land given to the people of Bromyard for recreation.

"We are extremely concerned about the location of the skateboard park. There are houses all around that part of the Playing Fields, some as close as 45 - 50 metres.

Noise level

The level of noise, both from the use of skateboards and no doubt large number of youngsters would greatly affect us. Some of us work from home and need a quiet environment," said the group in a statement.

"We are also worried about vandalism, an increase in litter, potential damage to properties, vehicles etc."

They say their fears are borne out by a similar park in Malvern Link.

But President of Ramp and Rail, Pearl Briggs, said the residents concerns are unfounded.

She said the concrete base would be dug into a grassy bank and hidden by landscaping and planted trees.

"People have been talking about the effect of light pollution from four floodlights, but I can assure them our plan includes one light that will only light up the skateboarding area and will be set to switch off at an agreed time.

"What annoys me about the people complaining is that they are happy for kids to skate at an industrial estate where they could get killed by big lorries, so long as they don't disturb their lives."

A public meeting to discuss the plan begins at 8pm in the youth centre in Church Street, Bromyard.