New wheeled sports area open in seafront park

A wheeled sports area in a new multi-million pound seafront park in East Sussex has opened.

The new skatepark, pump track and roller areas are now in use at Hove Beach Park.

The existing skatepark at Hove Lagoon will now close and the ramps will be removed from Monday.

A Brighton & Hove City Council spokesperson said the park was a “key part of our plans to improve leisure facilities across the city for health and wellbeing”.

Hove Beach Park, which has been largely funded by central government, stretches from Hove Lagoon to the King Alfred Leisure Centre.

It was named in February following a public vote.

The old skatepark site will be used to house the children’s rides and amusements that are currently on the grass.

This will create a wider green space for visitors to enjoy, a council spokesperson said.

Councillor Julie Cattell, lead member for major projects, said: “As a skater myself, I share the excitement of the skating, skateboarding and BMX communities in the opening of these superb new facilities.

“We have worked with those communities to make sure we deliver what’s most important to them in the park, and the results looks great.”

The completion of other areas of the park will be on a phased basis until spring 2025, when it will be formally opened.