YOUNGSTERS attracted by a new skateboard park are risking their lives by congregating in the middle of a busy road.

Up to 40 youngsters have been gathering at night beside the skate bowl, at the junction of Boadicea Way and Layer Road, in Shrub End, Colchester.

Even though the £97,000 lottery-funded facility is in the corner of a huge playing field, they are standing on the pavement, where they have assembled a second, makeshift skate ramp.

At times, so many people are at the spot that children on the fringes of the group end up sitting in the middle of the road – and staying put when vehicles approach.

There have also been complaints of loud music from cars parked by the ramp and reports of young people running out to force traffic to stop.

Conservative Shrub End councillor Pauline Hazell, who helped get the skate bowl built, admitted safety and public order had become a concern.

She said: “I pulled up there one night and a child shot across the road between my car and the car in front. The lad himself said ‘oh, that was close’.

“One solution might be to speak to them about it in school assembly.”

Lib Dem Shrub End councillor Lynne Barton said she had also received complaints, but added: “The skate bowl is a fantastic new facility for Shrub End, which we have spent three years working to get.

“I have asked the police community support officers to include the site on their patrols. Hopefully that will stop children from straying into the road.”

Mrs Hazell added: “I don’t think it is the skaters themselves who are causing the problem, but as the park is brand new it has created a lot of excitement. Girls and young lads are going to watch older teenagers skate.”