LONG-AWAITED equipment for the skatepark in Fry’s Hill Park has been delayed by another five weeks.

It has been two years since money was pledged to install more activities for skateboarders.

But Oxford City Council has promised a T-shaped concrete block and long metal rail will be installed by October 24, the beginning of the autumn half term.

Groundworks South – contracted to build the project by the city council – said the work had been delayed because of problems with suppliers.

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Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gordon Roper said: “It was supposed to be done by this month.

“But the people who Groundworks is trying to get equipment from didn’t have one of the bits in stock so it needed to find a new supplier.”

At the end of 2012, the parish council set aside £5,000 out of its £30,000 annual budget to help add more to the skate park, such as rails and ledges.

Mr Roper said: “We expect it to be done by half term.

“We have insisted and Groundworks has guaranteed it will be done.

“It’s taken a long time, but it’s happening at last.

“We’re always frustrated when things are put off.”

He added: “It’s disappointing the summer’s nearly over, but the kids are still using it in the evenings.

“I’ve spoken to kids up there and they said they are excited about the new stuff.”

Rob Tilley, from Groundwork South, said: “Groundwork South has been instructed to place an order for the addition of a grind rail and concrete ‘T’ block, which were requested at a consultation with the young skaters who use the existing facilities.

“It is hoped that the Skate Park specialists ‘Bendcrete’ will complete the installation before the October half-term holiday.

“The additions will extend the already successful skate park, installed in 2012.”

The skate park replaced a facility in Cuddesdon Way, which was bulldozed to make way for the Co-op nursery in 2009.

The Co-op gave the city council £60,000 to build a replacement park but it was not finished until October 2012.

The park’s official opening has still not taken place because of the delayed additions.

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