09 Jan Rotherhithe Skate Gate – Why are you against us?
The platform as residents like to see it : Empty. © Fransisca Lawrawan
Skating culture in London is threatened to die out, with the councils increasingly closing down public spaces.
Jason and his friends get a thrill out of performing tricks on the Canada Water platform. Street skating brings more excitement to them than purpose-built skate parks. It is also not just a random place, its where the “family” gets together. “It’s not like we’re skating and causing trouble and yet we’ve been banned from doing our thing elsewhere,” he says.
Jason in his element. © Fransisca Lawrawan
With the building of a new luxury housing complex, the complaints came flying in. Predominately a male activity, skaters often have to fight against stigmas : ” I don’t want them here, they raise the crime rate and are a bad example for our kids”, says a local mother. Rotherhithe council are therefor following the increasing number of local authorities getting rid of the skateboarders with help of the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) from 2014, which takes action when “the detrimental effect on the quality of life” of locals is affected. After that, any violation would cost the trio up to a 100 pound. Councillor Bill Williams says, ” they are provided with more than enough space in skating parks and that’s where they should go”.
