CONSTRUCTION on a new urban skate park in St Helens is expected to begin in early 2019, St Helens Council has confirmed.

Planning approval for the site, which is between Chalon Way car park and Foundry Street, was granted in April.

Bliss Park will take the form of a public square with two large sculptural forms placed within it, along with pockets of green space and safe boundaries.

The development is being led by arts agency Heart of Glass in conjunction with Merseyside Police and St Helens Council.

A council spokesman said: “Ongoing meetings with our partners concerning Bliss Park remain positive and subject to contracts being signed, we anticipate development work to commence in early 2019.”

The project came about due to perceived anti-social behaviour around Church Square, a popular destination for skaters.

It is the first project in St Helens to be awarded money from Merseyside Police’ Community Cash Back Fund, which utilises money obtained through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

The police will grant £65,000 for the project.

St Helens-based Heart of Glass has also pledged £30,000 towards the site’s design.

The design has been developed in collaboration with Studio Morison, an artist-led creative practice and CANVAS, skate park specialists.

Angharad Williams, lead producer for Heart of Glass, said she understands the skating community’s “frustrations” over the time the project is taking.

“We are still working really hard on the administration of it,” Angharad said.

“It is a really complicated project but a really positive one.

“It is going to be amazing skate park, but it’s got to be brilliant. We don’t want to do it half-heartedly.

“The skating community deserve something brilliant in St Helens, and they’re going to get it.

“We can appreciate everyone’s frustrations, but it is hard to appreciate the administration involved.”