Whites Grounds Skate Park improvements unveiled

The skate park, which occupies a railway arch, was opened three years ago.

An extra ramp was added last summer and now Southwark Council has spent £80,000 on a kitchenette, toilets and office space designed by local firm Forge Architects.

The improvements were funded by section 106 contributions intended to mitigate the impact of major local developments.

Friday's launch event was supported by Tooley Street-based Red Bull, independent media company Myvirtuousmedia and Stand Up Skate Shop.

"One of the things that people always ask for is better youth facilities," said Cllr Anood Al-Samerari, Riverside ward councillor and Southwark Lib Dem leader.

"This is a great example of what we can do when we work together and use the money locally on local facilities."

Forge has also produced plans for a possible third phase of development which would see a new youth centre created in an adjacent railway arch.