'Up to three-year closure' of skatepark a 'loss'

Residents say the potential three-year closure of a skatepark for sewage works will be a "great loss" for the community.

Wessex Water is set to install tanks under the skatepark in St George Park in Bristol to reduce the number of spills into waterways from combined storm overflows.

It said it was part of a "major investment" to improve river quality and "protect the environment", with similar work set to happen in the city's Canford and Old Quarry parks.

Bristol City councillor Rob Bryher said the skatepark in St George could be closed for up to three years. Wessex Water disputed that timeline, but has not confirmed the dates or lengths of the park closures.

Naomi Karslake said the closure would be "a really great loss" for her two young grandchildren, who love to spend time there.

"It's such a good space. It builds up their confidence, it's so good for their coordination and they just have a really good time.

"There isn't anything else that gives them the confidence to develop their physical skills in the same way," she added.

Kat Macaulay, a mum to two nine-year-old twins, said she felt "real worry" for them when she heard about the planned closure.

"I don't think [Wessex Water] quite realises what the impact is on our community and our kids," she said.

"It's quite hard to get [the twins] out these days, but when I say we're going to the skatepark it's generally the place they want to come," she added.

Macaulay is also part of the Play in St George Park community-led campaign group that works to secure play spaces for children and improve accessibility and opportunities for the community.

In November 2025, Bristol City Councilannounced it would upgrade the play equipment and skatepark in St George Park, which are in poor condition.

However, the water works mean those upgrades will be on hold.

Council leaders said they had secured £800,000 to improve the three parks after the works. The money has come from the Bristol Green Spaces Fund, which is a joint initiative with Wessex Water, Quartet Community Foundation and the council.

There will also be £200,000 allocated to support community projects up to 2030, Wessex Water said.

Bryher, councillor for St George West, said he initially felt "slight despair" over the planned closure, but said there were also "positive" sides to it following negotiations with Wessex Water.

"People will be disappointed and all I can say is, 'I'm sorry. I am not able to do more than I have'," he said.

Although he acknowledged the work would be "inconvenient" and "disruptive", he said he was hopeful for an improved park in the future.

He said: "I think that when this work is complete - however long it takes, and we are not entirely clear on that - we will hopefully then be able to immediately implement a really, really world-class facility that gives us the park that we deserve."

He added he would continue to hold the water company to account to get "the best possible deal" for the community.

Wessex Water's chief executive Ruth Jefferson said: "We know how important parks and green spaces are to communities across Bristol, both for people and for nature."

She said the funding for improvements and groups will "help community organisations deliver projects that encourage greater participation, improve access and create safer, more welcoming spaces for local people".

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