A PLEA by Kingswood youngsters for a skateboard park has set the ball rolling on an ambitious village campaign. Kingswood Bridgers Project - so named as it aims to create bridges between village youngsters and older residents - intends to build a BMX track and a skate ramp. Gazette feature writer Kirsty Ramsden met the project's chairman and treasurer to get up to speed on the plan.

LIKE so many rural areas, Kingswood lacks facilities for young people in the eight to 15 age range.

So, when youngsters stood up at a village neighbourhood watch meeting and requested a skateboard park, Kingswood listened.

In December, 2003, Kingswood Bridgers Project was formed to provide a skateboard and BMX facility for the use of village youngsters.

Project chairman Barnaby Beere explained the BMX track would cost between £10,000 and £12,000 and the skate ramp from £40,000 to £50,000.

The project has raised more than £1,800 so far with pledges of a further £6,000 but the committee does not believe reaching the target will be its greatest obstacle.

Treasurer Rob Rayfield said fund-raising would be hard work but the amount was achievable.

"This village is very good at fund-raising," he explained.

Village fund-raising to date for the project has included an evening organised by Kingswood Kurry Klub, a wine and music event, a stall at the show day and on-going pub quizzes at the Dinneywicks.

A barn dance is being organised for Saturday, March 5.

Mr Beere said: "There have been a number of groups in the area that have raised similar funding for similar projects.

"We are talking to them to get useful advice and support."

He explained the largest issue facing the project, which he dubbed the "million dollar question", was where to site the scheme.

The committee investigated an offer to site it by Kingswood Village Hall.

However Mr Beere revealed this could be a difficult option, although one not discounted altogether, because of issues regarding shared use.

The project is also investigating siting the complex at the planned New Road sports facility which borders Kingswood and Wotton-under-Edge.

The New Road scheme includes plans for football and rugby pitches, tennis courts and a cricket square.

Kingswood Bridgers Project has won support from Wotton Community Sports Foundation to site the BMX track and skate ramp within the New Road scheme.

Mr Beere said the project had held a very positive meeting with the sports foundation earlier this month and had won its backing for the BMX part of the scheme to be built at the site within this calendar year subject to planning permission and suitable fund-raising by the project.

A further site option being explored by Kingswood Bridgers Project is using land by Wotton-under-Edge Fire Station and the allotments.

Mr Beere explained the committee was working with Wotton Town Council and further interested parties in Wotton regarding this option.

Mr Rayfield added the site did not need to within the village itself but had to be accessible by Kingswood youngsters.

He said the question of the siting of the facility should be resolved this year.

The five-strong committee of Kingswood Bridgers Project was due to hold its first annual meeting this month.

Mr Beere explained he joined the committee because he wanted to "give something back" to the village.

"I really like it here and one of its strengths is the proper community here," he said.

He added the project aimed to give youngsters a stake in their community.

"We have involved the youngsters in some of the fund-raising activities we have done and will continue to do so to give them a stake in it," he said.

"They will have a say in what they want."