AN OFFICIAL bid will be launched to kick skateboarders out of Southampton’s £50 million Cultural Quarter.

City councillor Jeremy Moulton will lead calls for action at Southampton City Council’s (SCC) meeting at the Civic Centre tomorrow.

Tory leader Cllr Moulton, who previously said that skateboarders were turning the area into the “most expensive skate park in UK”, wants the council to recognise that Guildhall Square was not designed to be a skate park.

He will urge the council to speak with skaters about what alternative facilities would encourage them to relocate.

Cllr Moulton’s motion also proposes the council work up plans to produce a new facility in the city centre or to upgrade or amend the existing facility in Hoglands Park.

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Dexter Mathurine, who regularly skates in the area, said he is “excited” to work with Cllr Moulton to resolve the issue.

The 21-year-old, who will be attending tomorrow’s meeting, added: “Now I have had the chance to speak with Jeremy, it does look like something is going to happen which is very exciting.

“The only reason we use Guildhall Square is because nowhere else around the city is good enough.

“In the best-possible scenario, the councillors listen to Jeremy on Wednesday and see there is a big skating community who need this new facility.

“As good as Guildhall Square is, we can not stay there forever.”

Cllr Moulton said: “It is clear that most people would like to see the square used by everyone and not used as a skate park.

“But there is a lot of sympathy for skateboarders, who themselves are keen to have proper facilities.

“The solution which I think will make everyone happy is that the council talk to skateboarders about what they want, and look to put in place a plan so there are proper facilities they will use in the right place.

“The money for this can be funded through developer contributions – we just need to make sure it is channelled correctly and well spent.”

As previously reported by the Echo, Cllr Moulton called for the introduction of fines for skateboarders who refuse to be moved on from the area.

He said he was most concerned with the damage that they were doing to the Portland stone paving.

Speaking at the time, Cllr Moulton said: “We cannot ignore it any more, the skateboarders need to be moved on.

“The council needs to take a firm hand in the coming months and draw the issue to a conclusion.”

The Cultural Quarter was designed to showcase art shows, seasonal events, community activities and promotional exhibits.

Once completed, it will welcome an estimated 750,000 visitors per year.