Last updated
11-06-2008
Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club
Cycle Track at Slades Farm
Project Objective
A
specially designed a 250m Community Cycle Track, set in the heart of the
Bournemouth conurbation, provides the opportunity to bring the health
benefits of cycling to local residents, in terms of recreation, fitness
training and competition.
Proposed location for 250m Community Cycle Track at Slades Farm
Project Background
The Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club was founded in 1927 and has been active in
promoting cycling within the Borough of Bournemouth since 1963, using a tarmac path around the cricket pitch at Winton Recreation Ground.
15 years ago, safety concerns were raised about the shape and inadequate banking of the path following a series of accidents with adult riders. The Club took the decision to limit the use of the tarmac path around the cricket pitch and the central grass area to activities for children less than 12 years of age and to launch a campaign to improve the track shape.
Bournemouth Borough Council, recognising the health benefits, introduced a policy to support the provision of a cycle track suitable for riders of both sexes, for all ages and experience within the Borough.
To identify potential sites, in April 2006, a Borough wide survey was carried out of 11 parcels of open grass land, assessing each location against key criteria that would underpin its successful operation. This included its proximity to Schools and the connurbation.
Slades Farm at Ensbury Park proved to be the only site that scored well against each criteria. The site also included a parcel of suitable land which only recently had come under the control of Bournemouth Borough Council and was currently undeveloped.
Testing the Theory
During the summers of 2006 and 2007, the Club ran its “Learn to Ride” Skills programme for under 12s at Slades Farm to “test the market” at this site. These classes operated at the fullest capacity the Club could safely operate in an open space, proving the huge demand and site suitability. (50 – 60 children, 42% of which were girls)
Facility Management and Use
The new track would be managed by the Council’s Leisure Services, who will maintain the structure of the track and its grass and landscape surroundings as at present.
The Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club would manage the use of the track by organised groups. The Club proposes to run supervised structured :
- Learn to Ride Classes for boys and girls U12s
- Skill Improvers Classes for boys and girls U14s
- Fitness Sessions for men and women of all abilities and ages
- Training Sessions for Competition for men and women of all ages
- Local Competitions for all ages
The Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club holds the Sport England “Clubmark” Accreditation, the highest such Award for Sports Clubs, and would be fully supported by British Cycling, the sport’s Governing Body, in the venture.
School based Cycling Clubs are becoming popular around the country and so, in addition, the track will be available for use by the local Infant, Junior and Secondary Schools for cycling relation curriculum activities.
Since the track area will be designated a “dog free” zone, the central grass infield lends itself to formal activities such as “Boredom Busters” as well as informal use by joggers, families, etc.
Conclusion
At a national level, the huge success enjoyed by the British Track Cycling Team in winning 9 Gold medals at the recent World Championships, coupled with previous success at the Olympic Games has inspired many newcomers of all ages to take up the sport and recreation of cycling.
The provision of a Community Cycle Track at Slades Farm Open Space is a unique opportunity for Bournemouth Borough Council and the Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club to deliver those benefits to the people of Bournemouth.
Comments
Please support this project, please write before 13th June, giving your name and postal address, by letter to Planning Office, Town Hall Annexe, St Stephens Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6EA or email: planning@bournemouth.gov.uk
also giving your name and postal address.
The Planning Application reference number is : 7-2008-8523-AM