News / parks
Well-used wheel park could close for ‘up to three years’
A popular wheel park could close for up to three years while infrastructure works are carried out by Wessex Water.
There has been an outpouring of sadness on social media at the prospect of the temporary loss of St George Park Wheel Park, one of our city’s most-used facilities for skaters and BMX and scooter riders young and old.
Wessex Water is planning to install underground storm attenuation tanks at St George Park, as well as Canford Park in Westbury-on-Trym and Old Quarry Park in Henleaze, to increase sewer storage capacity and reduce spills from storm overflows during heavy rainfall.
It is not yet clear when construction will begin although St George West councillor Rob Bryher said disruption could last up to three years.
To compensate, Wessex Water has agreed to provide £1m in funding with £800,000 earmarked for improvements to the affected parks and a £200,000 for a new community fund.
St George Park Wheel Park is a hub for families and skaters in east Bristol – photo: Betty Woolerton
Bryher said the funding would help complete long-awaited improvements to the nearby John Deasy Play Area and support plans to eventually rebuild the wheel park as a “world-class facility”.
But he acknowledged that the funding would not fully compensate for the loss of a facility used by many.
The announcement comes six months after Bristol City Council pledged £680,000 towards upgrading play and skate facilities in St George Park, which are in poor condition.
However, the water works mean those upgrades will be put on hold.
Green councillor Rob Bryher said the closure would be “disruptive” – photo: Green Party
In a statment, Wessex Water chief executive Ruth Jefferson said: “We know how important parks and green spaces are to communities across Bristol, both for people and for nature.
“As we continue our major investment programme across the city to improve river water quality and protect the environment, we also want to create lasting benefits for local communities.
“The Bristol Green Spaces Fund will help community organisations deliver projects that encourage greater participation, improve access and create safer, more welcoming spaces for local people.”
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
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