Teenagers from the Phoenix Youth Project have raised concerns over maintenance issues at Sandwich Skate Park.

Charlie Potter, aged 15, and Jack Beadle, 14, say dents and uneven ramps where bolts have come loose are dangerous.

They say the gaps between the safety barriers are too large and some of the safety bars are also missing, believed to have been stolen for scrap.

What repairs have been made are with plywood instead of steel sheet, the skating rail is bent and ramps do not line-up, meaning the design of the park itself makes it more difficult.

The teenagers have also raised concerns that fencing has been stolen and rails are missing underneath one of the larger ramps which has led to people sitting underneath to smoke and light fires – giving it the name ‘Death Box’.

Charlie said: “We know that there is no money but Dover has had its skate park replaced at least twice, and Deal’s has been replaced at least once.

“During that time, despite different groups coming forward and trying to get Sandwich Skate Park updated, refurbished or replaced, there have been no change. It even took six years to get a path and floodlights, which we are grateful for. The park is well beyond its useful lifetime.”

The boys, who both attend Sandwich Technology School, regularly use the park and have raised these issues with Sandwich Town Council and Dover District Council (DDC) before.

They say there is often rubbish and broken bottles left by a small minority of older teens who use the area to drink alcohol.

Jack said: “There is lots of rubbish left under the Death Box. The area is accessible as safety railings have been removed and not replaced, enabling children to play underneath the equipment.

“This leads to dangers with skaters not seeing the young people appear from under the ramp but also gives a sheltered space for local smokers and drinkers.

“The biggest issue, and always has been, is nothing lines up. There are no clear lines to skate.”

The pair claim the edges are too sharp and angular and too close to the fences. They would like to see more bins, benches, a better layout and a clear age limit sign.

Charlie said: “Really we need a new skate park, a concrete plaza-style park.

“We would settle for the old ramps from Dover being moved to Sandwich and laid out properly.

“We do know money is tight but we would at least get a better park and the old kit from Dover gets recycled.

“We would like to see the skate park moved, possibly as part of future plans for Sandwich public spaces.

“It would stop us being a ‘problem’ for the cricket club.”

Phoenix Youth Project would like to meet with an inspector at DDC once a month or once a quarter.

Charlie added: “I bet the inspector doesn’t skate so won’t know what is dangerous for us.”

A spokesman for Dover District Council said: “We do regularly inspect the skate park to ensure it remains safe, and we would not allow the park to stay open if it was not so.

“Contractors regularly visit to clean the area and make sure it is kept clear.

“We do not have ‘old’ equipment for reuse, but would be very pleased to meet with the Phoenix Youth Project to discuss their ideas and any concerns they may have. If anyone has any concerns about conditions at the park, we would ask them to report this to us directly, by calling the council on (01304) 821199.”