The long-awaited reopening of the Kingsfield skate park looks likely to go ahead next week after months of delays and false starts.

Frustrated skaters were left with nowhere to practice their sport, after the skate park was suddenly closed last October amid increasing concerns about the safety of the deteriorating ramps and equipment.

Richmond Council pledged to reopen the skate park in Bushy Park, Hampton Wick, after a defiant protest by more than 100 teenagers who said they would otherwise be forced onto the streets.

They faced fierce opposition from residents who were demanding the closure of the park after a string of incidents, culminating in the arrest of three youths after air gun pellets were fired at passing traffic.

Having listened to the concerns of residents the council agreed to take measures to ensure the skate park was supervised during its opening hours and to increase security to prevent skaters from climbing into the park in the early hours of the morning. The new ramps have also been relocated to try to minimise noise and disruption for residents living opposite the skate park.

After months of delays and postponements, the skate park is finally expected to open next week but residents in Hampton Wick have given the news a cautious welcome.

Candida Havelock-Wenham, who sits on the Hampton Wick Action Group, said: The progress that has been made has been tortuous. We have come a long way and hopefully the compromises will mean young people who really want to use the site can, and residents will be able to get on with their lives.

She said residents would continue to closely monitor activities at the skate park.

The leader of Richmond Council, Councillor Serge Lourie, said, We are delighted to be able to open the new, improved skatepark.

By.Helen Barnes