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Tucked away underneath the Westway is an urban mecca for local BMX bike riders and skateboarders, Baysixty6 skate park. Words by Lydia Williams. Photos by Lydia Evans

Above: The novelty hasn’t worn off for park veteran Benedict, 25: he still goes to BMX nights at Baysixty6 most weeks

Around 12 years ago, a derelict corner under the Westway on Acklam Road was developed as an indoor/outdoor skate park. An unlikely spot sandwiched between the Hammersmith & City line and the Westway, this otherwise unusable space has gained a reputation as one of London’s best skate parks. The concrete curves are embellished with commissioned murals from local graffiti artists, and everyone from 10-year-olds finding their feet on their skateboards to veteran BMXers with more scars than tricks flock to the park’s ramps, bowls and half-pipes.

Not only is the appeal seemingly ageless, the park has drawn enthusiasts from far and wide. Local Adam Francis, 18, lives ‘just around the corner’, he rollerbladed at the park for three years before ‘graduating’ to BMX. ‘I don’t ride street much – why would I when I have this on my doorstep?’ he asks. But it’s not just for locals, the park even boasts international appeal. A perfect example is Eddy from Greece: he planned his trip to Baysixty6 last year after discovering the park online. As there are no skate parks in Greece, riding here is ‘pretty cool’ he says.

For others it is a new-found obsession. Pablo-Angel, one of the park’s newest enthusiasts, stumbled across Baysixty6 on his way home from school at the Spanish Institute on Portobello Road. Now his father brings him here from their home in Canada Water. Park veteran Benedict Mansi, 25, recalls the opening: ‘I remember my first trip here. I’d been riding for four years, but had never been to a park on this scale before.’ Young or old; local or international, the once seemingly unusable wasteland under the Westway has certainly found its purpose.

Baysixty6, Bay 65-66 Acklam Road, W10 5YU; 020 8969 4669