THE wheels are turning on plans for a much-needed bike track and skate park in Pembroke Dock.

Planning permission has now been submitted for the facility at the Memorial Park.

Llanion county councillor and chairman of the Friends of the Memorial Park Committee, Sue Perkins, said: “I can’t wait for it to start – for something for the children and teenagers and people of Pembroke Dock to be able to take their kids to.”

The bike track represents the first phase of the regeneration of the park, with a skate park and play area planned later.

“The town council has been brilliant, the help has been excellent,” said Cllr Perkins.

“It’s been five years now and it was my mayoral promise.

It’s been such a lot of hard work to get this far.

“There’s nothing for teenagers or children from nine years old up from Pembroke Dock to do, and not everyone wants to join a sports club.”

Cllr Perkins said she was eager to get started and hoped it could be ready by the summer, depending on the planning process.

Once planning permission has been granted, the development should take only a matter of weeks to build, but although the current planning application includes a skateboard park, the committee only has enough funds to complete the bike track. It will be looking for more to help raise the £70,000 needed.

“We’ll be ready to go as soon as we get the money,”

added Cllr Perkins.

“The skate park is expensive, but we can start small and build on it.”

The third phase of the redevelopment will include a children’s play area, for which a separate planning application will be submitted.

Cllr Perkins was keen to point out that she did not want the development to upset people in nearby streets.

“It’s important to let people know the police are on board and there will be no lights so they won’t want to hang around there late at night,” she said.

Anyone who wishes to become involved with the Friends of the Memorial Park Committee should contact the Pembroke Dock town clerk on 01646 684410.