GWYNEDD Council say they were left with “no choice” but to remove ramps at a skatepark in Bangor after they continued to be used despite being fenced off for breaching safety standards.

The skatepark behind McDonald’s in Bangor was fenced off after an RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) inspection deemed new ramps were hazardous, dangerous and did not meet safety standards.

The ramps were added to the skatepark by Anglesey and Gwynedd skateboarders, who added to the “inadequate” corridor skatepark, financing the ramps “out of their own pocket”.

A spokesperson on behalf of the skateboarders said the Council had been unwilling to carry out a RoSPA inspection or wait for the skateboarders to provide evidence of the ramps compliance with public liability insurance, and have instead “spent tax payers’ money paying council workers to remove ramps built out of the pocket of the people who use it”.

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They added that the Council have “knocked down the ramps with no plans to replace the facilities they have taken away or reimburse the community in any way.”

The Council said that the skatepark is their property, and the ramps were built without their knowledge or permission, but that they would be “willing to work with any individuals or community groups to the future to enhance facilities for local people”.

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of the public is of paramount importance to us.

“While we appreciate that individuals may wish to contribute to the local community by adding new ramps to the skatepark facilities in Bangor, this must be done in a responsible manner by qualified engineers.

“Structures must satisfy national health and safety and regulations and also meet our insurers’ requirements.

“The skatepark in question is the property of Gwynedd Council and the new ramps were built without our knowledge or permission.”

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The Council also maintained that an inspection by the RoSPA had been carried out, and that action was only taken following the inspection’s report.

The Council spokesperson added: “An independent inspection was carried out by RoSPA – the UK’s leading accident prevention and safety advocate charity – which found the new ramps did not meet safety standards and were dangerous.

“The hazardous ramps were fenced off by the Council but the fences were broken and the ramps were continued to be used.

“To ensure the safety of skaters, the Council had no choice but to take them down.

“The Council would be willing to work with any individuals or community groups to the future to enhance facilities for local people, but any structures or play equipment constructed must meet national health and safety standards from the outset.”