Sir, - I write to plead to all the parents of local skateboarders and all those in the Richmondshire area who support the need for a skateboard park to fully back the new application for the site to be situated in Ronaldshay Park.

Too many people complain about Richmond losing business and local people going elsewhere to shop and then they object when an idea to give the youth of the area a much needed facility is put forward.

Are they forgetting if you do nothing for the young there will be no future.

In my work I come into contact with many youngsters in the Richmondshire area and the majority I find to be well mannered.

It's now time for all youngsters and their parents to back this application and fully support Mr Allison and the YMCA.

The people of Richmond need to realise that just because a group of kids wear baggy jeans, baseball caps and talk about "ollies" and "grinds" doesn't make them bad and out to cause trouble.

Take an interest in their interests and you will soon find common ground. If the local residents around the park met the skateboarders they would see the genuine ones are interested only in becoming the second Tony Hawkes, not causing trouble.

I beseech the planning committee to pass this new application and show the youth of today that you are planning for tomorrow.

If the council is pushing ahead with the refurbishment of the obelisk in the market place which is local history, let the same council pull out the stops for the skateboard park before Richmond does in fact become a ghost town for local youngsters.

Ronaldshay park is ideal. It's central and whilst the kids are skateboarding the parents who bring them into town from outlying areas may even spend some money in the town. Now there's a thought.

And yes, my son is one of those skateboarders.

MARK RASBEARY

Richmond Road,

Catterick Garrison.

Find another place

Sir, - How disappointed I was to see the "revamped plans" for the skateboard area in Ronaldshay Park, (D&S, Apr 26).

I agree that our young people need activities to keep them occupied and skateboards on the streets are a real nuisance, but the more I look at the plans the more I feel that this is the wrong site.

The popular football pitch (which was sacrificed altogether in the rejected plans) is reduced to make it virtually unplayable. One goal will be almost on the path and there is very little space to kick a ball.

The 10 foot-high mounds are built right up to the base of Richmond's oldest tree. They are designed to hide the ugly structures and dampen the noise but they will cut the park in half and will completely change its character.

Skateboarding is classified as a noisy sport and my worry is whether the mounds will help reduce the noise problem. No measurements or evidence has been given to explain this. This must be a worry for anyone who uses the park on a regular basis.

This park is a family park, mostly toddlers and primary schoolchildren with their parents. It is a popular place for picnics and bat and ball games. I can see teenagers skating along the paths past young children and the potential for accidents.

These "revamped plans" have been hastily submitted and are ill thought out. Notice of the first refusal was only received by local people last week and this smacks of someone wanting to get these through "come hell or high water". There must surely be better sites within Richmond district?

The increased costs are an issue too. Constructing huge mounds and levelling ground will require big machines. Just how many people are going to benefit from this expenditure? The last thing Richmond needs is an unfinished eyesore in a conservation area which falls into disrepair once this latest skateboard craze dies down.

STUART KEIGHLEY

Quakers Lane,

Richmond.

I'm here

Sir, - As one of the Labour MEPs for the North East, I was a bit dismayed by Barbara Welford's letter (D&S, Apr 26) claiming she has had difficulty in contacting me.

I have offices and staff based in Middlesbrough and Durham and I even live in the Tees Valley! I hold regular surgeries and Euro "report backs" where I offer the opportunity to constituents to meet me and hold me accountable - these are all advertised in the local press.

Since the 1999 elections, I have met many community groups, businesses, and voluntary organisations and received correspondence from hundreds of people living within the Tees Valley. I look forward to hearing from Barbara soon.

STEPHEN HUGHES MEP

Tees Valley Euro Office

16 Cleveland House,

7 Woodlands Road,

Middlesbrough TS1 3BH