Cyclists in the north east can expect to have a new outdoor velodrome available for use by spring 2015, after proposals were approved for a £1million project, funded by British Cycling in partnership with Middlesbrough Council.

The new 250-metre velodrome - to be incorporated into Middlesbrough’s new Sports Village - will complement the popular one-kilometre Cycle Circuit at Prissick and strengthen the area’s appeal as a centre of regional importance for sports, with an athletics track also being built on site.

Building work on the Sports Village is due to start next month with the athletics track expected to be in place by October. It is expected work on the velodrome will also start later this year, with an opening expected for spring 2015.

Restoring existing cycling facilities and developing new ones are key features of British Cycling’s latest Whole Sport Plan and chief executive, Ian Drake is delighted to see funding confirmed for yet another project.

“British Cycling is delighted to partner with Middlesbrough Council to realise exciting plans for this new cycling facility in the area. The new outdoor velodrome will give the sport of cycling a great lift in the north east, and provide the region with a great opportunity to develop a long-held passion for the sport even further.

“In order to continue to build participation we need to create a new network of traffic-free cycle sport facilities with appropriate facilities such as this.

"We are making significant progress in our plans to deliver new facilities nationwide, with developments confirmed in Pendle, Derby, York, Torbay, Hadleigh and Peckham and we are very excited with the development and look forward to the opening in 2015.”

Welcoming the announcement, Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said: “It is essential that the Middlesbrough Sports Village has the sort of facilities we know people want, and the inclusion of a velodrome has been high on the agenda from day one.

“The aim from the outset has been to create an iconic sports destination of regional significance, and the velodrome will help to ensure it is a centre that attracts people from Middlesbrough and beyond for many years to come.”