A petition to refurbish the Richard Taylor Memorial Skate Park has reached over 700 signatures from residents.

Richard Colbourne started the campaign after seeing raised panels and loose screwheads that he says pose a risk to skaters using the park.

The park was established through a community fund in memory of Barry-born skater and freestyle skier Richard Taylor, who died age 23 after a freak skating accident in 2004.

"I skated there from when I was a child, right up until my thirties. Now I've got too many injuries to keep skating, but I cycle around the Knap daily," Richard said.

"I was in school with Richard Taylor and his brother Robert, and visited their father's bakery 'John's Hot Bread Shop' on Broad Street nearly every day.

"The point is that it's a memorial and to let it degrade like that is pretty shameful.

"Not to mention it's a well-used facility so it's an accident waiting to happen. It's in such bad condition now that, there's some serious faults here waiting to catch somebody," he said.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council organised a refurbishment of the park in 2019, but Richard says the work has ended up being counterproductive.

"What they did was just patch up the holes with these square panels, which are about half an inch thick," explained Richard.

"Now, when you're riding on a skateboard that's got two-inch high wheels, half and inch is a lot.

"So, you fall off just past it, and you jam your finger, your finger is coming off. Not to mention these screw heads sticking up everywhere.

"What they've done really is created more hazards from the perspective of a skater. It seems very, very counterproductive. Hopefully they can do a better job this time once we get the ball rolling.

"I went and spoke to some of the families down there. Even though it's locked up, there's still people using it, because it's hard to stop kids doing things like that. If they want to skate, they'll skate.

"Everybody feels the same. They value the place a lot, and want to continue to use it, but safely," he said.

Richard contacted the Vale of Glamorgan Council, who put him in touch with the park warden. The warden suggested Richard start a petition.

He has also contacted Vale MS Jane Hutt, who offered to contact Gaynor, Richard Taylor's mother.

After speaking with her, Richard gained Gaynor's support and guidance to refurbish the skate park.

"I will contact the company who originally built the equipment and any others who might exist and aim to get a free quote on construction costs," said Richard.

"Once I have that I can approach the council to see what they can contribute.

"Crowdfunding could be an option, but I didn't want to do anything without the approval of Richard's family.

"As well as having a hundred reasons for doing it for the community, I think it's just the honourable thing to do to maintain the park in Richard's name.

"Considering the amount of work that his family put into getting it upgraded in the first place, I think it's the only it's only the right thing to do," he said.

Click here to see Richard's petition and find out more.