We, the undersigned, are calling on Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council to invest in the development of a dedicated wheeled sports facility in the borough — such as a skatepark, pump track, or dirt jump trail.

Tameside currently lacks accessible, high-quality spaces for young people and families to safely enjoy activities like skateboarding, BMX riding, scootering, and rollerblading. This has led to young people using unsuitable or unsafe areas such as streets, car parks, and public walkways.

Creating a purpose-built facility would:

• Provide a safe, inclusive space for young people to be active
• Improve mental health and wellbeing through outdoor activity
• Reduce anti-social behaviour by giving young people a positive outlet and a place to learn new skills they can show off

• Build a stronger sense of community and belonging
•Attract visitors and boost local pride

Many neighbouring areas have successfully invested in similar facilities, seeing long-term benefits for both residents and local economies. Most of these are self maintained by the people that use them as they create a sense of responsibility and pride. These are not only becoming increasingly popular but are helping to repair the gap between generations by allowing older users to become strong role models for our youths and teenagers as they teach them more than just how to clear a jump. 

They’ll learn respect, independence, empathy, commitment, and the importance of safety as well as being part of a community that supports and backs one another through highs and lows.

We believe Tameside deserves the same opportunities. By working with local young people and community groups, the Council can create a vibrant, well-used space that reflects the needs of its residents whilst inspiring people of all generations.

We urge Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council to consult with the community and take action to deliver a skatepark, pump track, or dirt jump facility within the borough.

Sign this petition to support better facilities, stronger communities, and more opportunities for young people in Tameside.

Why it matters to me …….

After another day of Carl and the kids riding dirt jumps along with 40-50 kids, teens and adults, all from different backgrounds, all with different levels of experience, all supporting each other, working together, all smiling, laughing and achieving new skills and goals together as one ……. I’ve decided to start the ball rolling with a petition to get something similar built in Tameside. 

I’ve travelled the country far and wide with them riding pumptracks, dirt jumps, trails and skateparks and everywhere we go there’s no community spirit like it. Teens teaching and supporting kids, adults supporting and teaching teens, never any trouble and a connection between them all unlike any other regardless of where they’re from or who they are. 

I’ve watched 14 year olds rally round with bin bags clearing rubbish because they want to, 10 year olds running to help a toddler who’s fallen off their bike and cheering them on to try again, 30 year olds becoming huge role models that kids respect and look up to as they teach them new tricks and jump combinations. I’ve seen complete strangers give kids helmets and equipment to encourage safety, repair bikes at the trackside and teach others how to do basic repairs and maintenance too. I’ve seen people from completely different backgrounds and cultures become family. I’ve seen teens get creative by helping maintain jumps and build new ones as they advance their skills. I’ve seen 50 year olds giving it ago with a team of youngsters backing them and showing them all the tips and tricks to get them through. 

There’s never any trouble, there’s never any vandalism, there’s never any fighting, there’s never any negativity. 

No matter where we go, the track is always a community in itself. It inspires kids and teaches them so much more than cycling skills. It teaches them ownership, commitment, respect, empathy, risk, overcoming challenges, dedication, determination and self worth. 

It’s time Tameside Council looked at neighbouring communities and followed suit.

Pump tracks and skateparks are trending nationally and alongside everything I’ve mentioned above they also bring recognition and tourism to the area that local businesses can benefit from. They’re rapidly trending all over social media and the skills learnt on these tracks are now being recognised all over the world. 

In 2020, BMX freestyle hit the olympics. Many of the skills shown were learnt on pumptracks and skateparks making it a recognisable sport and offering amazing opportunities for our young people to progress and achieve greatness in the eyes of the sporting world one day. 

We’re lucky to be able to travel to take our kids to these places but many of our younger Tameside generation aren’t. Many Youths here are bored, feel neglected by the council, and lack investment into their futures. Most places are a good driving distance away meaning many will struggle to have an opportunity to use them. We need something here and local enough that it can be accessed by our own community to give them the same opportunity to grow that others around the country have.

I’ve seen lots of posts recently where people have voiced wanting this. This might not do anything drastic but it’s always worth trying and gives those who support it an opportunity to be heard. You never know, it might just be the kick Tameside Council needs to take action and consider the suggestion