Ilkley's in-line skaters face an increasing path of obstacles in their fight to gain a 'home'.

As another Ilkley parish councillor announced she was withdrawing her support for a skating area in the Riverside Gardens, the frustration at a lack of progress grows.

Coun Barbara Cussons (Con, Ilkley North) told last night's meeting of Ilkley Parish Council: "I am persuaded that is not the right area for such a park."

Coun Cussons said she had suffered an unpleasant incident on Sunday while in the Gardens. She described one group of youths as causing mayhem in the playground. As she remonstrated with them she was subjected to rudeness and "aggro".

Coun Cussons said the whole atmosphere in the Gardens could be destroyed. "I feel this sort of activity in the Memorial Gardens will destroy the happiness for a lot of people."

Coun Cussons received support from Coun Anne Hawkesworth (Con, Ben Rhydding). She told the meeting an in-line skating area might not solve the problem of youths skating in the town. She said younger skaters might use an area in the Riverside Gardens but felt the older skaters would not want to mix with them.

This opposition, voiced more than four months since the subject was first discussed, has frustrated Coun Alec Henderson (Con, Ben Rhydding), the chairman of Ilkley Parish Council.

He said there had been considerable representations from young people on the subject. A solution had to be found.

Coun Audrey Brand (Con, Menston) suggested an alternative site for skating facilities could be East Holmes Field.

Councillors agreed the subject should be discussed at a forthcoming open meeting.

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