Forming part of British Cycling’s Whole Sport Plan, expanding the nationwide network of traffic free cycling facilities will continue to be a key goal for the organisation in 2012 and beyond – building on the range of amenities opened across all cycling disciplines in 2011.
The London VeloPark will provide a lasting legacy beyond the 2012 Games
From closed road circuits, such as in Blackpool and Middlesbrough, to BMX tracks in Redditch and the National Indoor BMX Centre in Manchester and the Bournemouth velodrome and state-of-the-art resurfaced Herne Hill, British Cycling has continually supported and invested in projects to offer cycling opportunities for all, and seen facilities blossom.
Middlesbrough’s Prissick Cycle Park is a case in point. Within six months of opening in March 2011, it had seen over 10,500 users with 342 hours of circuit time booked and 41 competitive events. Beyond this, the circuit has reached out to the local community. Schools, colleges, triathlon and cycling clubs and recreational users have all benefited with coaching, competitions, free training and taster sessions as well as programmes with Sky Ride and Breeze to encourage participation.
"As a town we are all about getting more people more active and helping them to live longer, happier and healthier lives,” Middleborough mayor Ray Mallon said. "The Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit is a great new facility to help us achieve that.”
Blackpool's closed road circuit hosts the Tour of Blackpool
The £500,000 project to re-surface 1948 Olympic track Herne Hill, at the bequest of life-long supporter of the Herne Hill Velodrome Leonard Lyes, was hailed by Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson. “I am particularly pleased to see British Cycling investing in community facilities such as these at Herne Hill. Their commitment to this project says a lot about the sort of organisation they are."
2012 and beyond
The London VeloPark, situated within the Olympic Park in East London, will leave a lasting legacy for cycling. A new mountain bike course and road circuit in addition to the 6,000 capacity velodrome and 400m BMX circuit along with café, bike hire and cycle workshop facilities will help the VeloPark become the epicentre of cycling in the capital.
The Olympic year will see more plans developed, ventures supported and facilities built. Cyclopark in Kent, set to open this spring, is just one example. Boasting a 2.9km closed road circuit, 340m BMX track with an arena to facilitate major events and 6km of mountain bike trials, the £7m outdoor haven is a superb asset to the South East.
Redditch BMX track has proved a popular asset to the Midlands
The £16m Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, opened in late 2011, will soon house an outdoor velodrome with a BMX track in the centre, only the second venue in Europe to do so. Expected to attract over 10,000 users every year as well as host local, regional and national cycling events, it has been described as ‘fantastic news’ by Councillor Eddie Connor, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Community and Culture.
Upgrading
As well as working on projects from the initial idea, British Cycling seeks to support improvements to amenities once they have been built. Working with Sport England’s Inspired Facilities funding, local community and volunteer groups can improve and refurbish sports venues. Currently British Cycling is working on bids to provide lighting at closed road circuits in Solihull and Blackpool. Both are currently in the design/development stage, and hopefully will be completed for Autumn/Winter 2012, allowing for cycling all year around.
Facility projects are overseen by British Cycling's National Facilities Manager Dave Cockram and Facilities Officer Patrick Flanagan, who are continually committed in delivering state of the art, community centred cycling venues.
Speaking about plans for 2012 and beyond, National Facilities Manager Dave Cockram said: “The major project is the delivery of the Derby Indoor Velodrome and associated closed road circuit, which is currently being designed for completion in 2014. The main focus for the Facilities Programme in 2012/2013 are to provide closed road circuits in Sheffield, York and Bath, mountain bike facilities in Manchester and Essex and a BMX track in Burgess Park, London.
“Going forward beyond 2013 the priority will be a strategic approach to provide facilities in the North East, South West, East Midlands, South and Yorkshire Regions where it has been difficult to make significant progress with facility development
“Anyone with any facility ideas at all, regardless of how well developed they are should contact me using the details below.”
If you have a facilities project in mind, please contact
Mark Burrows
Facility Development Manager
Tel: 0161 274 2067
Email: facilities@britishcycling.org.uk
