Construction work on a new "world class" skatepark in Axminster is finally due to start later this month.

The project has been years in the waiting, after the old skatepark at Cloakham Lawn was closed in September 2019 as it required significant repairs and, not being owned by the local council like skateparks in many other towns, it was liable for all its own costs and maintenance, including insurance.

Axminster Town Council and East Devon District Council have been working together in recent months, along with the Axminster Skatepark charity, to get the long-awaited project off the ground.

The new park will also be sited at Cloakham Lawn. It was previously suggested that the skatepark could be built on the former Millwey Rise football pitch but this is a strategic asset of East Devon District Council's and will likely be sold for housing development.

The design of the new skatepark will be similar to the Maverick designs released in 2016 (pictured above), with ramps made of poured concrete rather than wood and metal as seen at the old park.

The park will be delivered in two phases, with district councillor and skatepark trustee Andrew Moulding, revealing at the Axminster Annual Parish Meeting last night (Monday) that work was due to start on April 25th and the first phase set to be completed by July.

The announcement was met by rousing applause from those in attendance.

"It is great news for the young people of Axminster," said Cllr Moulding.

The first phase will capitalise on Section 106 funding from local developers that has to be used by September.

Fellow district councillor Sarah Jackson added that about £180,000 was still required for the second phase, with Axminster Town Council having already agreed to contribute a "substantial sum".

She was hopeful that East Devon District Council would also contribute, and the rest could be raised through community fundraising, in conjunction with the skatepark charity, before the price of materials rise much further.

The Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, said: "This is going to be a world class skatepark. This will bring proper skateboarders to the town rather than having to go as far as Exmouth.

"It's going to be a fabulous facility and that's just one of the great things happening in this town this year."