Council meets cycling chiefs over velodrome
REPRESENTATIVES from British Cycling have met Birmingham City Council for preliminary talks over proposals to build a new velodrome in the region.
The ‘West Midlands velodrome campaign’ has been under way since early last year after it was announced that track cycling races for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games would be held at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London instead of in the region that will host the event.
A feasibility study into the potential construction of a new competition velodrome in time for the Games concluded that having a new venue built for 2022 would not be ‘cost effective’, while organisers also noted an apparent lack of demand for one.
But that has not stopped campaigners calling for one to be built, with a petition in support of a new venue garnering more than 5,500 signatures. The council has firmly ruled out the idea of a competition velo- drome being built for the Games, causing campaigners to switch their focus instead to the construction of a smaller, training velodrome in time for 2022. Talks have now taken place between the council and British Cycling to discuss the future of cycling in the region.
Writing to supporters of the ‘ Campaign to build a West Midlands velodrome’, organiser David Viner wrote: “This is a brief message to inform you that talks were held between Birmingham City Council and British Cycling about future plans for cycling facilities to develop all aspects of cycling within the West Midlands.
“It is understood an initial feasibility study is to be undertaken into facilities including the possibility of building the long-awaited indoor velodrome.
“We anticipate further information may be made available in the near future. Meanwhile, we wish to thank the many people who have shown us much valued support.”
A Birmingham City Council spokesman said: “We have had held some constructive outline discussions about how to determine future cycling provision in the city and wider region.
“Only when national strategies are finalised will we be in a position to work with partner organisations to look at any detailed local plans.”