Proposed village exercise track moves one step closer to reality

A WALKING and exercise track proposed for a village recreation ground has moved a step closer.

The project has been planned at Kingsley Holt recreation ground in Holt Lane.

Last year more than £23,000 was spent on refurbishing the play equipment at the site.

Now members of the Kingsley Holt Community Fund are looking to further develop the area, which includes a Tarmac path around the field. It is thought that its development could cost around £20,000.

The facility would be for young children to ride bikes and for walking with prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs, with the main interest being in as a safe space for young children to be able to ride a bike away from the roads.

At the last meeting of Kingsley Parish Council, who own the land, members gave the community group the go ahead to seek funding for the venture.

Speaking to councillors, Karen Bateman of the Kingsley Holt Community Fund, said: “We have now completed a survey of the village in which 112 people responded. Out of these

111 were in favour of the proposed project. People want to use it.

“It would enable young children to ride their bikes. Fifty per cent of people said they would use it weekly and 98 per cent said that they would use it a least once a month.

“There will be no cost to the parish council and there are opportunities for further usage.”

John Brammer, also from the Kingsley Holt Community Fund, said that there was strong support from residents and the school for the project to go ahead.

Parish councillor Ivor Lucas said he would like to support the venture, while Councillor James Aberley said he thought it was a good idea which had lots of local support.

Councillors voted unanimously to support the project.

Chairman of the parish council, Councillor Ken Unwin, said: “The parish council gives approval to Kingsley Holt Community Fund to seek funding for the project, but they need to come back to us with specific details.”