A NEW skatepark and parkour track is coming to Weymouth.

The Marsh in Weymouth will soon see the arrival of a skatepark and parkour track, which the town council hopes will encourage people of all ages and abilities to get outdoors and active on their skateboards, bikes and scooters.

Designs for the facility, produced by skatepark designer Maverick, are out for consultation online and feedback provided by residents has been incorporated in them.

The £350,000 project was originally planned to be built by the end of this year, however, due to planning officers being unable to come out to see the site during the pandemic, the plans have been delayed.

Weymouth Town Council is inviting residents to come down to the Marsh for a further consultation on the designs on Monday, August 2 between 3pm and 6.30pm.

Cllr Ryan Hope, chair of the services committee, said: "Weymouth Town Council and Maverick want your feedback so it's really important that potential users and residents come forward and engage in this consultation session so that this is developed right.

"CCTV is already planned to be included as some local residents who actively supported the proposals and Friends of the Marsh were slightly concerned about possible anti-social behaviour.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the plans develop further and for the project to be delivered for the community to use."

Cllr Alex Fuhrmann is a big supporter of the project and is keen for the community to take ownership of the skatepark, which he hopes will be a destination for years to come.

He said: "This is going to be somewhere that I hope the community takes back. We've seen some anti-social behaviour down there and no amount of police funding will help that part of the Marsh. What will help is the community focusing on a project and taking ownership of it.

"This is not just a skatepark and parkour track. This is about bringing the community together and I hope this is somewhere people will come for the next 50 years.

"I would urge anyone who has any opinion on the plans to come down to the consultation on Monday and tell us what you think. Typically, consultations are moaning grounds because only people who have a negative view turn up so please, if you think this is a good idea, then come and tell us and we can make it happen."