Council pledges support for new cycle track at city college

Leicester City Council is set to provide £250,000 of match-funding for the creation of a new purpose-built cycle training track in the city.

The outdoor track will be built on land at New College Leicester, in New Parks, and provide a place for road racing enthusiasts, as well as complete novices, to train in safety.

The Council’s funding will help secure an additional £400,000 of funding from British Cycling towards the £750,000 project. The college itself will provide £100,000.

Work is expected to begin on the new track in late-October and will take about four months to complete.

It will feature a 1km closed loop circuit which will be suitable for competitive cycling, training and recreational use. The track will be floodlit and fenced and the project includes the creation of a new designated parking area for track users.

Wayne Allsopp, business development manager at New College Leicester, said: “On the back of the Olympic success the popularity of cycling as a hobby and as a sport just continues to grow and that’s what is behind this project.

“Providing a first class facility for cycling in Leicester is a really exciting prospect and we’ve already had a lot of interest from local clubs.

“Our priority will be offering the track to schools. We want to provide a facility where young children can learn to ride in safety, and help inspire young people to make the next step from riding their bikes to getting involved in cycling as a sport.

“The track will also be available for community use and we look forward to hosting some competitive events too.”

Councillor Adam Clarke, assistant city mayor for energy and sustainability, said: “This is a major investment for the local neighbourhood and for the wider community.

“Encouraging more people to get out their bikes is a key aim of our Cycle City Action Plan. Once built, the new track will provide an ideal facility for novices to develop their skills and confidence on a bike in complete safety. It also means that people who want to take their cycling to the next level will have a great new place to train.”