SKATEBOARDERS in Southampton could only be banned from skating in the city’s £50million Cultural Quarter when it hosts a festival or public event.

The move is part of a raft of new rules proposed in a draft code of conduct exclusively obtained by the Daily Echo.

Under the terms of the document, which was created by the skateboarders, they will not skate in Guildhall Square when festivals or other public events are being held there.

They have also pledged to encourage politeness, tidiness and ensure there is no “defacing or defecation” of the buildings and landmarks.

Dexter Mathurine, 21, a skateboarder who contributed to the code, said: “For the skaters who do want to use Guildhall Square, the code of conduct is good as it allows them to carry on skating there.

“Personally, I still would like to see the facilities for skaters in Southampton upgraded.

“More than anything, I think the code of conduct is just common sense - a lot of the rules on it were already being adhered to by us in the first place.”

City council culture boss Cllr Satvir Kaur said: “The basis of this code of conduct is to appreciate the Guildhall Square as a cultural space for everybody to use and enjoy.

“It is really good to see long and skateboarders coming together to create this code of conduct with the council so they can co-exist with other users of the square.

“In principle, this code of conduct has been agreed. It just shows that we can get better responses from our community if we work with them rather than attacking them.”

The code of conduct was drafted following a bid by city council Conservative leader Jeremy Moulton to kick the skateboarders out of the Quarter.

Cllr Moulton took a motion to last week’s council meeting, which was amended by Labour’s Cllr Darren Paffey before being pushed through.

The amended motion urged the council to “continue positive dialogue” with skateboarders and carry on developing and improving facilities for them in the city.

Cllr Moulton said: “The Labour council has said skaters can use the Guildhall Square and has ruled out providing new dedicated skate facilities in an alternate location.

“I think the code of conduct is helpful, but I believe that skaters should be using a designated skate park instead of a public square.”