Liberal Democrats survey young people on what they think of leisure facilities and safety in Sudbury. (South Suffolk Liberal Democrats)

South Suffolk Liberal Democrats <southsuffolklibdems@googlemail.com>

Liberal Democrats survey young people on what they think of leisure facilities and safety in Sudbury.

February 16, 2009 9:30 PM

Liberal Democrats surveyed 111 13-16 year olds as part of Sudbury on Show at Sudbury Upper School on Thursday 12th and in St Peters Church on Saturday 14th Feb.The results have been passed to Babergh District Council responsible for leisure and community safety in the area.

"Our young people have given our well used leisure facilities a good score in the town especially Belle Vue Park but they have supplied us with a comprehensive list of suggestions for improvements. Many of which are good, sensible ideas and relatively cheap and would benefit not just them. Number 1,not surprisingly, is the aspiration for a cinema in the town." Said Cllr Nigel Bennett.

The results show that the young people completing the survey were regular users of a whole range of leisure facilities in the town. 75% used Belle Vue Park, 63% Kingfisher Leisure centre while Friars Meadow, Dual use sports centres (Sudbury & Cornard) and playing fields were all used by approximately 50%. A third used sports clubs while only 8% used the skate park and the BMX.

On their suggestions for extra leisure facilities they would like to see in Sudbury 57% surprisingly made no suggestion while a quarter suggested a cinema would be the main improvement.

70% thought that Belle Vue Park had everything it required. The main suggestions for improvements were a football goal, play equipment for older teenagers and a better café.

"Sudbury is a safe place to live in, 97% thought so during the day but a significant number of our teenagers do not feel that in the evening and their main concern is the drunken behaviour of adults which is scary and intimidating. To solve it they want to see more visible police patrols." Said Cllr Nigel Bennett.

The survey revealed that on feeling safe when out in the town, 47% said yes, all of the time while 50% said yes but only during the day while a small 3% said none of the time.

The main fear was from the night time economy and of drunken adults coming out of and going from pubs. A fifth of all students wanted to see more police patrolling or the police being more visible in the town centre at night.

Finally, the top 3 issues for young people were:

1st Public Transport mentioned by 40%

2nd Climate Change mentioned by 34%

Joint 3rd Education & Training/University fees and war & terrorism all mentioned by 28%

"Public transport is vital to the young and teenagers without it they can be isolated and struggle to use leisure facilities. At the same time, public transport is vital to dealing with transport problems in Sudbury too." said Cllr Nigel Bennett