THE wheels are in motion on the construction of a new £150,000 skate park in Bicester.

For three years residents have pleaded with local authorities to help upgrade the existing dilapidated park in Garth Park after years of neglect.

It followed complaints to Thames Valley Police about youths skating around the town centre which sparked the calls for an upgrade.

As a result, it has become a project which included a combined effort from local authorities, Thames Valley Police, and the local skate park users to fundraise and design a new park.

Police officer Vicky Lees was the driving force behind the initiative and helped champion the young people to help make the new park a reality.

She said she she became involved in 2015 after reports of anti-social behaviour in the town centre, which included BMX riders and skateboarders riding in Pioneer Square.

She encouraged skaters to attend a town council meeting to raise their concerns about the current park being in a poor state of repair – and this move set the ball rolling.

Ms Lees said: “The young people made a conscious effort to keep the park clean and tidy and also set about fundraising.

"Behind the scenes I worked with the young people and was able to fund CCTV at the skate park, while the council worked to raise the money needed for the project.

“It was never going to be easy to try and find £150,000 for a new park to be built so this has been a real team effort.

“We are so excited to see this become a reality. The Olympics in 2020 are introducing BMX Freestyle and Skateboarding, so just maybe our new skate park will attract potential Olympic hopefuls.”

The project has been three years in the making, but it is hoped the new park will now be ready to open early in the new year.

The initiative has been jointly funded by Bicester Town Council, Cherwell District Council (through housing developer contributions), Sport England and fundraising by the young people themselves.

Councillors and officers have worked in partnership with PC Lees and specialist skate park firm Freestyle has designed and is building the new park.

Bicester town councillor Jason Slaymaker, who is also deputy mayor, said: “Bicester Town Council was delighted to offer support to the young people to help raise the funds to build the new skate park.

“This facility is very popular with young people and we hope the new improved skate park will open up wheeled sports to a new generation.”

Work started in October and is due to be completed in January.