A SKATE PARK opened as part of a £65,000 development has been forced to close because rowdy youths are disturbing neighbours.

The Sidings Skate Park, at Holgate Park, closed today after a flood of complaints to the council from residents who said teenagers were being abusive and causing damage.

But former ward councillor Liz Edge has criticised the move, saying the youngsters who use the facility are not at fault. She said: "The problems were there for many years before the skate park - we are bowing to the wishes of a few people.

"No consideration has been given to the youth in the area, they have precious few facilities and to take away this is wrong."

Residents had said the youths turned the estate upside down, ripping out log seats and plants and covering signs with graffiti.

They said it attracted older children and "boy racers" from all over the city.

Council officers urged residents to give it a chance, but the problems remained and contractors removed the skateboard equipment today.

Charlie Croft, assistant director of lifelong learning and leisure with City of York Council, said: "The park was designed to be a great resource for young people in the area and it's a real shame that the actions of a small minority have ruined it.

"We have worked closely with local residents and users of the facility to try to resolve the problems, but the situation has not improved. We now feel that it would be unfair to residents living in the area to keep the skate park open.

"Once the skateboard equipment has been removed the garden area will be enhanced with some traditional play equipment."

Holgate councillor Bill Fairclough, said: "This was a very difficult decision to take, but we felt that with the holidays approaching, it was simply too big a risk to allow the skate park to stay open.

"We believe that this facility should be retained in an alternative location and we hope to have a site lined up in the near future."

Updated: 12:13 Saturday, July 19, 2003