FORDINGBRIDGE skatepark is moving a step forward to getting the lighting replaced.

The funding for the new skate park lights was agreed by Fordingbridge Town Council’s policy and finance committee last week but it will have to be approved by the full council. It was due to be discussed yesterday evening after the Journal went to press.

The quote received for the work, which the meeting heard might need updating, was £12,344 plus VAT. Contributions of £1,000 from the Alderholt Coop and £900 from a JustGiving page set up by residents will contribute to the funds. The meeting also heard the council could get funding contributions from Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), which is money available from developers.

A crowdfunding campaign was started last November to get broken floodlights fixed at the skatepark.

The fundraising appeal was started by Fordingbridge mum Jo Windsor, whose son Simon is a keen skateboarder.

Committee chairman Malcolm Adams said it was something he thought the council “ought to do”, adding: “People have gone to a lot of trouble to raise money.”

Councillor Edward Hale added: “Having spent money on the skatepark we might as well finish it off properly and have some light.”

The new skatepark was was officially opened on June 1, 2019. The total cost of the project was about £130,000 with funds from the town council, New Forest District Council, councillor individual NFDC grants and All the Cool Stuff.

The policy and finance committee also agreed the installation of a water bottle refill station on the recreation ground.

Cllr Adams said in some areas Wessex Water provided them free of charge but said it looks like they won’t pay for one in this instance.

The meeting heard it was £189 per annum with the first three months free and the annual service cost would be £175. If any of the equipment were to break the company supplying it would replace it.