Wishawhill success means NLC on track
North Lanarkshire Council have committed to building more bike pump tracks following the success of the one built in Wishawhill Wood.
The ambitious plan, given the green light by NLC’s Environment and Transportation Committee, would see new tracks being set up in Newmains, Forgewood and a world class facility at Strathclyde Park with the aim of North Lanarkshire potentially hosting the 2023 UCI World Championships.
The council report states: “The focus would be to emulate the social success of the development of a pump track at Wishawhill Wood in improving the life chances of young people within and beyond the local community.
“There is a recognition that this programme can deliver a range of benefits, from community-focused regeneration through to the impact of North Lanarkshire potentially hosting of the 2023 UCI World Championships.
“This proposal provides an immediate three year period over which to kick start the delivery of a number of pump tracks sites within a Pump Track Plus Programme.”
The reported added that the pump track in Craigneuk had “exceeded expectations beyond any typical investment in outdoor play facilities.”
Official figures show that a year after its
April 2018 opening, partners were citing outcomes exceeding expectations due to the change in culture associated with the site.
These included Police Scotland noting a dramatic decline in antisocial activity associated with the site, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service call outs minimised saving £2000 per call out and a reduction in vandalism at the adjacent golf club.
The potential for a site at Newmains has been identified for a local pump track linked to an outdoor community hub development, which although adjacent to the new NCT Centre, will be aligned to the construction of Newmains and St Brigid’s Joint Campus development.
The council’s Convener of Environment and Transportation, Councillor Michael McPake, said: “The Wishawhill pump track has been an overwhelming success in so many ways and it has exceeded all expectations, for example, by hosting events of national significance.
“The exciting programme to create new facilities across North Lanarkshire will build on this success.
“It’s absolutely crucial that we work with communities especially younger age groups to ensure that they are at the heart of any new development and we will carry out in-depth consultations to ensure this happens.”