Under the provisions of section 67 of the Local Government Act 2001, each local authority may take such measures as it considers necessary or desirable to promote the interests of the local community including measures to promote general recreational and leisure activities or sports, games and similar activities. It is, therefore, a matter for each local authority to determine the manner in which and extent to which, cyclists, skateboarders, rollerbladers and other skaters should be catered for in its area.
In May 2005, I announced proposals for a pilot project for the provision of a number of skateboard facilities. My Department wrote to all city and county councils at that time enclosing details of the initiative, including the selection criteria, and invited councils to submit an application to participate in the pilot project. When applications are received, they will be evaluated by my Department in conjunction with the National Children's Office.