Your first big plan post-lockdown? ‘Childish’ skate park revenge

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour aimed at a small group of West Cross residents who launched legal action against a seafront skate park has been criticised.

Many people are beeping their horns when they drive past homes on Mumbles Road near the mini half-pipe at Llwynderw. The beeping has apparently continued into the early hours on occasions.

Police are aware of the situation, which is affecting other drivers and residents who have nothing to do with the skate park saga. Swansea councillors who represent West Cross and neighbouring Blackpill said it was time for the beeping to stop.

Blackpill councillor Linda Tyler-lloyd said she was driving along Mumbles

Road last week when random horn-blowing prompted her to put her foot on the brake.

“I think it’s dangerous, and it’s not solving anything,” she said.

The judicial review proceedings launched by the seven residents claim the decision made by Swansea Council’s cabinet to transfer land at Llwynderw to Mumbles Community Council for the skate park was unlawful.

Swansea Council is studying the legal documents. The community council, which is spearheading the skate park project, is not a defendant but is abreast of developments.

West Cross councillor Mark Child, who backs the skate park project, said he could understand supporters’ frustration at yet another obstacle. But he said there were other ways of expressing frustration, and asked people to stop beeping their horns.

“The point has been made,” he said.

His ward colleague, Cllr Des Thomas, said judicial reviews were part of the democratic process – albeit an option that many people could not afford – and that the residents should be allowed to exercise that right.

“Beeping horns is a childish way of getting back at those people,” said

Cllr Thomas. The judicial review could result in the council’s land transfer decision being quashed, among other outcomes.

Last week, skateboarder Jason Williams, who is chairman of Mumbles Skatepark Association, said project supporters felt the legal proceedings were an attempt “to fetter and stall” an eagerlyanticipated scheme.

South Wales Police inspector Andy Harris said officers were looking into “recent issues” in the area.

“We have listened to the concerns of residents along Mumbles Road, some of whom are being affected by inconsiderate anti-social behaviour,” he said. “I would encourage people to keep reporting things to us, it helps us build up an intelligence picture and, where necessary, we will take fair, reasonable and proportionate action.”