City centre residents want noisy skateboarders banned

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Angry city centre residents want to see skateboarders banned near their homes because they are ‘‘too noisy’’.



More than 30 people living in Vicroft Court flats are campaigning for Coventry City Council to step in after problems with skateboarding near Ikea and City Arcade.

They have signed a petition calling on the council to ban skateboards inside the ring road near their flats on the corner of Croft Road.

Alan Mulholland, 44, is one of the residents to have signed the petition and said the skateboarders were affecting his health and made him worry about leaving his home.

“I suffer from high blood pressure and the stress from the situation is causing it to not go down.

“It’s very intimidating, some of them have been snapping at my heels jumping behind on the skateboards when I’m walking home with my shopping and I avoid the City Arcade if they are in the area.

“The main problem is the noise. We have to open the windows as it’s the only source of ventilation but the noise rebounds off the other buildings into our property. It’s so loud we have to have subtitles on the TV.

“In the school holidays they can be in the Arcade from 2pm until 2am or 3am.”

The residents met with councillors earlier this year to discuss possible solutions and there are now signs to deter skateboarders in the building’s windows.

However, residents say the problem has increased since the school summer holidays began.

Alan said: “I’d like them to start respecting the fact people live here. They have no respect whatsoever.

“Some say sorry and move on when you ask them to but others just give you a mouthful back. I have nothing against them, but just go and play outside your own area.

“Do half the parents know where their kids are at 10pm? Some of them are 15 and younger and I don’t think the city centre is the right type of safe environment for young teenagers.”

Coun Jim O’Boyle, who represents the St Michael’s Ward where the residents are based, said he would be calling on the council to pass a bylaw to ban skateboards in the city centre.

“Newcastle, Northampton and Kenilworth have already banned skateboarding their town centres and I will be asking our cabinet to do the same.

“Residents don’t want to stop young people having fun. They have engaged with some of the skateboarders but there are too many who take no notice of residents’ concerns.

“Everyone who lives in the area recognises there will be some noise in town but this level of disturbance goes beyond what is reasonable.”

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Council told it would be 'a stupid idea' to ban skateboarders from city centre



A budding young politician has vowed to ferociously oppose any ban on skateboarding in the city centre.

Daniel Mckenzie, 16, is a member of youth parliament for Coventry – a role which involves him representing the views of young people in the area.

He has spoken out after councillors suggested they would appeal for Coventry City Council to impose a ban on skateboarding inside the city’s ring road following disturbances and a petition to ban the activity signed by residents of Vicroft Court, on the corner of Croft Road.

Daniel said: “I think it’s a stupid idea putting a ban on skateboarding in the city centre.

“The majority of skaters who do skate in that area don’t want to cause problems, they are keeping out of crime, but now they are being criticised for doing something they enjoy.

“Where else should they go? The area behind Coventry Baths is disgusting, it needs a lot of improvement and we have found needles down there in the past. It’s not safe.

“There’s the War Memorial Park, but that’s not fit for purpose anymore. The amount of people who want to use it mean it has been outgrown and, being out of the town centre, it is not accessible for young people.”

Flipping nuisance: City centre residents want noisy skateboarders banned

Daniel plans to arrange a meeting with Coun Jim O’Boyle, who initially called for the ban and represents the St Michael’s Ward where the residents are based.

Daniel said: “This ban idea from Coun O’Boyle seems even more ridiculous when you consider he used to be the cabinet member for children and young people in the city.

“It’s only a minority of people complaining and if this ban comes in I believe they will continue to skate there. Who is going to enforce the ban?

“I do not see the problem with it, try and see it from a young person’s perspective.”

Daniel has also spoken with police about the possibility of finding an alternative city centre venue for skateboarders.

“I have spoken to youth engagement officers at West Midlands Police and they are supporting the young people in trying to identify a safe alternative.

“I will also be talking to the council about erecting a skateboard park in the city centre somewhere.

“I’m hoping to see where we can go from here by speaking with residents at one of their upcoming ward forums.”

As the Telegraph revealed on Monday, more than 30 people living in Vicroft Court flats are campaigning for Coventry City Council to step in after problems with noise from skateboarding near Ikea and City Arcade.