Hoblingwell Cycle Track now open

The completed cycle track, which was officially opened by the Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Hannah Gray, is available for all types of non-motorised wheeled sports including mountain bikes, scooters, balance bikes, BMX bikes, skateboards and in-line skates.  The track improves leisure facilities at the recreation ground, giving a dedicated riding space.  In addition to the asphalt pump track, a learn to ride area is being established in the adjacent playground.

Local school groups attended the opening event, with organised cycle sessions and demonstrations by local pro-riders taking place, with an open session for the local community.

Councillor Hannah Gray, the Mayor of Bromley said, “We are pleased that the bike track is already being used, with this being an excellent facility adding new local leisure options.  It was the thoughts and encouragement of local people, including young people, that brought this project about and I would like to thank all concerned.  I would encourage interested people to join the local groups, including the Friends and all those who are part of the Hoblingwell Hub as this is important.”

Lucy Fisher, National Development Manager, Access Sport said, “We delighted to see the pump track in Hoblingwell Wood Recreation Ground open and being so widely used by those in the local community. We can already see that this is going to be a brilliant asset for all in the local area, whether riding on mountain bikes, BMX bikes, scooters or skateboards. We are excited to be developing regular structured activity on the pump track and to create a sustainable community cycling hub for the local area. Thank you to all our partners who helped create this amazing facility.”

Matt Parsonage, Head of Communities at Clarion Futures, said: “We’re proud to be one of the funders of this project which is an example of the investment we make each year to support Clarion communities. The track will make a huge difference to local people, providing health and wellbeing benefits as well the chance to try out a new sport – it’s fantastic to think that Hoblingwell Cycle Track could, perhaps, inspire one of the next generation of Olympians.”

Sharon Baldwin, Chair of Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Board said, “Sports provision, especially for young people ,plays a critical role in strengthening community cohesion  and as chair of the Bromley safer neighbourhood board I am delighted that our seed funding helped to support the development of such a worthwhile project.”

The finished scheme includes associated landscaping features including seating areas, storage units for equipment, way finding and facility signage, cycle parking, litter bins and tree planting, including a community orchard which will be introduced in partnership with the Friends of Hoblingwell Wood.

Following the opening Access Sport, the Council’s partner, is also now continuing its work with the local community to establish a volunteer led club to ensure that the facility is well used.

The £457k project was made possible with thanks to Council and grant funding support from Access Sport, Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, the Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Board, The London Marathon Charitable Trust, and the Places to Ride programme, which is being delivered by British Cycling, Sport England & the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), alongside the work of the Council and idverde, the Council’s greenspace management contractor.

ENDS

Notes to editors: 

• Grant funding from a variety of funders, included £149,624 from the Places to Ride investment programme (led by British Cycling, Sport England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport); £75,000 from London Marathon Charitable Trust; £20,000 from Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group; £5,000 from the Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Board plus a minimum of £65,000 from the council and £115,000 of ‘in-kind’ funding from Access Sport have allowed this work to go ahead. 
• idverde are the council’s contractor for managing and maintaining Bromley’s parks and greenspaces in partnership with Friends of Parks, sports, allotment and other community groups.
• Access Sport is a charity working to improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing, working solely with young people in deprived communities and with an emphasis on young disabled people (https://www.accesssport.org.uk/). To get involved in the project please contact  lucy.fisher@accesssport.co.uk
• The Hoblingwell Hub was set up by the Friends of Hoblingwell Wood Recreation Ground to represent all the different activities that take place in the park, including a variety of sports provision.
• Sport England is a public body that invests up to £300 million National Lottery and government money each year in projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport. It wants everyone in England, regardless of age, background, or level of ability, to feel able to engaged in sport and physical activity. The £15 million Places to Ride fund opened in November 2018 and was set up to secure a legacy from the 2019 UCI
• Road World Championships in Yorkshire. It has been delivered through a partnership of British Cycling, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). 
• The London Marathon Charitable Trust provides funding to schemes that maintain and increase participation in physical activity by all members of the community (https://www.lmct.org.uk/about/what-we-do/index.htm
• Clarion Futures fund a range of projects that encourage community engagement and promote health and wellbeing, including projects that regenerate local facilities. (https://www.myclarionhousing.com/)
• Clark and Kent Contractors design and build BMX bike tracks ranging from championship venues to village pump tracks (https://www.clarkkentcontractors.com/)
• Blakedown Landscaping (SE) Ltd design landscapes for clients across multiple sectors including local authorities, the Royal Parks, schools and universities (https://www.blakedown.co.uk/about-us) 

For media enquiries, please contact Susie Clark, Communications Executive, on 020 8461 7922 or email Susie.clark@bromley.gov.uk