CAMPAIGNERS battling for a new skatepark in Oxford are taking the fight to the Town Hall today.

Skateboarders want city councillors to back plans to install jumps and ramps in Cowley Marsh Park.

Three members of the Oxford Wheels Project — formed more than ten years ago — are due to lobby the council.

Executive officer Jack Richens, from Cowley, said he wanted to work closely with councillors and council officers to secure the skatepark.

He said: "We want the council to listen to us and give us some feedback about the best way forward and what needs to be done to realise the Cowley Marsh Park proposals.

"We want to work with the council."

Oxford City Council granted planning permission for the skatepark in May after a three-year battle, but just as planning and fundraising for the facility began, the plans stalled.

The council — which also owns the land — told Mr Richens it would not be supporting any lease application because of local residents' concerns about noise levels.

He said: "The council stepped forward and said it was going to help us look for an alternative site, which we welcomed. But there's nothing to stop the situation happening again."

He added: "We still don't quite understand why the plans for Cowley Marsh Park have been so vehemently opposed.

"It's a perfect location — it's in the heart of Cowley, which is a lovely, cultural place, and it's suitable because it's a good distance from housing and there's excellent transport links."

City councillor David Rundle said he fully supported the new skatepark and would publicly back the proposals at the meeting today.

He said: "We must ensure the skatepark plans aren't kicked into touch.

"We recognise that with any development there can be legitimate concerns, but these plans have gone through a rigorous process and we need facilities like these for young people.

"I think if the council doesn't back the new facility it would be failing the young people of Oxford — it's a really good project."

Skateboarders are particularly keen to build new facilities quickly because a skatepark in Meadow Lane, East Oxford, is coming to the end of its life after 10 years.

Today's council meeting starts at 4pm.