A NEW skate park sought by Burnham community members could be produced by summer next year.

The Standard reported in October that Ormiston Rivers Academy students Aaron Barthorpe, Brad Jennings and Nathaniel Head had teamed up with Burnham town councillor Nick Skeens to redevelop the mud banks near the town’s skate park at Millfields.

The students wanted to raise a team of volunteers to help rebuild the banks and seek permission from Maldon District Council who own the land.

Within weeks, dozens pledged to help.

Last week, Nick Skeens, Vanessa Bell and Burnham mayor Bob Calver met with Matt Wilson from the district council to agree plans to move forward with a completion target of summer 2018.

Maldon District Council have granted permission to proceed with the upgrade, which will include safer but challenging pump runs in line with Olympic design, with a surface of fine crushed limestone over compacted earth and 6mm tarmac over earth for the launch tops and ramps.

They would potentially also supply signage and fencing for safety It is highly unlikely the council could provide capital funding for the project, but have offered maintenance funding for the upkeep of the ramps once completed, and in the case of funding not being found by April, refurbishing the existing track to improve the surface of the ramps.

Various sources of funding have been discussed, including Bradwell Power Station and the Essex County Trust.

Phil Charney of BMX Dirtworks will be inspecting the site in January to give a quote on how much it will cost along with other funding guidance.

Nick Skeens said: “The good news is the project is now heading in the right direction, the big questions will be funding.

“Projects like this are ones for a community to be proud of. It will be great to create a really good quality facility for the BMX and other bike riders “Hopefully we can mix the advice we get from the BMX specialist with a group of people working together with the district council to make it for an affordable price.

“A skate park was built up recently in Essex for around £62,000. The Burnham skate park could potentially cost around the same, but that depends how much we can do ourselves with voluntary support and funding.

He added: “If we can get the funding and support to do it properly it then it will be great, hopefully we can have it refurbished and ready by the school summer holidays next year.

“There is a real will in the community to roll up their sleeves and get cracking.”

Richard Holmes, director of customers and community at Maldon District Council, said: “It is ours and Burnham Town Council’s shared aspiration to create an improved facility for local residents and visitors to the park.

“We welcome the enthusiasm and offers of assistance from local people and, depending on the scope and scale of work, we look forward to working with them to improve the BMX track.”