Funding for £300,000 ($500,00) Steven Burke Closed Road Circuit’ – named after the Olympic champion – has come from a variety of sources, with British Cycling, Sport England, Pendle Council, Lancashire Environmental fund and Cycle Sport Pendle all contributing financially.
Construction work will start in January and the first stage is expected to be completed in March 2014, with further work on the lighting, car park and pavilion due to be completed around August.
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 construction confirmed for yet another project.
“British Cycling is very pleased to partner with Pendle Council and other funders to build this fantastic new cycling facility,” Drake said.
“The new circuit will allow many more young people in the North West to participate in cycling and help develop the sport in the region even further.
“Last year we made significant progress in delivering new facilities with closed road circuits opening in Bath and York and a Mountain Bike trail in Manchester. But 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 very excited with the development and look forward to the opening in 2014,” he added.
The new circuit, which will be situated at Swinden Playing Fields, close to Nelson, Colne and Barrowford, is a great development for the local community according to Councillor Joe Cooney.
He said: “It’s full speed ahead for the new Steven Burke closed road circuit and sports hub for Pendle!
“We recently heard that we’ve been successful in our bid to win £170,000 from British Cycling towards the new closed road circuit, which will include lighting to extend its use over the winter months.
“And we’ve also had planning permission granted for this exciting new sports facility. “It’s a win-win situation.”
The circuit will be will be suitable for complete beginners right up to prospective Olympic champions. It will be used by local schools as well as being suitable for disabled people using specially adapted bikes through the Wheels For All project led by Pendle Leisure Trust.
Colne’s gold medallist Steven Burke said it was “an honor” to have the hub named after him.
“The Hub will be fantastic for Pendle and for getting boys and girls into cycling. It’s a great sport that will stay with them for life,” said Burke, who is in training for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
In addition to the British Cycling funding, Pendle Council and Cycle Sport Pendle have successfully won £150,000 ($250,000) from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund.
Peter Boast, of Cycle Sport Pendle has been pursuing the vision of a cycling hub in Pendle for the last five years.
He worked on the successful bids with Pendle Council, cycling clubs and local schools. He explained:
“It’s been a great team effort and it’s fantastic that our vision of a wonderful hub for cycling; including coaching, racing and cycling for leisure, will become a reality. Pendle Council, Colne and Nelson Area Committees and the Lancashire Environment Fund have already provided £150,000 for this new facility.
“The additional funding from British Cycling means we can start work!”
You must be logged in to post a comment.
