Business case for new velodrome and cycle park launched

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is to commission an independent study to examine the business case for a new velodrome and cycle park.

It said the scope of the evidence-based business case will be broad and consider all potential options:
A purpose-built indoor velodrome
A mixed-use development to include a velodrome
An outdoor cycle park
A temporary cover at existing outdoor velodromes in Wolverhampton and Halesowen

A cycling facility advisory group has been established to oversee the work. It is chaired by the West Midlands cycling and walking commissioner Adam Tranter and made up of local authorities Sport England, British Cycling and community representatives, including David Viner, who has been leading the campaign to get a competition-standard velodrome built in the region.

The group will consider the study’s findings and share its recommendations with the WMCA later this year.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “There has been a lot of campaigning on this issue for a number of years and in my manifesto, I put on record my support for a velodrome here in the West Midlands.

“Following on from the success of the Birmingham 20022 Commonwealth Games, this is another example of an enduring sport legacy in the region. If the business case is supportive, we will fully commit to the process of finally realising cycling facilities that will be open, inclusive, and accessible to the community, not just to grow and support the region’s sporting talent.”