A BASINGSTOKE couple has started a petition for the town to have its own climbing wall facilities, as the nearest is almost an hour away.

Judith Boyd and Richard Scott drive their son to climbing lessons every week at Pathian Climbing in Southampton. 

With that facility and the three in Reading being the closest options, they expressed that doing the journey to and from the climbing walls has left them "feeling exhausted" and anyone taking part in the sport "will no doubt feel the same". 

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The couple's children, Enzo, Felix and Maya, have always had a strong passion for the challenge of climbing. 

Judith said: "The sport provides so many positive physical and mental health benefits, but it needs to be more accessible to Basingstoke residents. 

"There are lots of people in the town that have the potential to be successful in professional climbing, but they may not have the time or resources to drive roughly 50 minutes each time to the nearest facility. 

"We are in the early stages of plans, there is no definite location for where the climbing wall will be but there are a lot of potential locations and we have launched the conversation and received a lot of interest from Basingstoke council."

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The couple's vision is for a fully equipped wall with top rope, lead climbing, auto belays and bouldering.

Basingstoke Gazette: Judith and Richard's children, Felix, climbing the wall and Enzo, belaying.Judith and Richard's children, Felix, climbing the wall and Enzo, belaying. (Image: Judith Boyd)

They want a wall that offers lessons for all ages and stages, and fun climbing for children's parties. The facility would cater for the whole community including serious climbers, future olympic climbers, casual climbers, school groups and more.

Judith and Richard have also reached out to local providers with existing walls in the region to hear their thoughts on investing in Basingstoke. 

They have currently achieved more than 800 signatures on their petition but hope to reach 1,000. 

For more information and to sign the petition, go to change.org/p/provide-climbing-facilities-in-basingstoke.