Bid to put village on track for pump action
FURTHER plans have been unveiled for a new pump track for a Valley village, as another has just been completed.
Proffitts CIC has applied to Rossendale council for planning permission for the facility on open recreation ground to the north of Exchange Street in Edenfield.
The application form requests a new pump track with associated berms (raised banks), jumps, hard surfacing and drainage, split into two separate areas for beginners and advanced riders.
The overall design and layout of the track would be determined by a specialist design and build contractor.
However, the lower part of the recreation ground was chosen for the proposed pump track as it is less well used, and drainage could be accommodated through the scheme via swales and soakaways.
The design and access statement says moistureloving wildflowers and small shrubs will be planted to improve biodiversity.
It states: “There will be two new access points from the street onto the recreation ground to the new pump track. The pump track itself, is set back from the edge of the highway so it will be less visible from the road. It will be partially screened by the additional avenue of trees.
“The materials in the main are natural coloured and the edges of the track will be grassed so it will blend in as far as possible to the surroundings.”
Earlier scheme designs from last summer include a picnic area, but a “phased” approach to the scheme has now been suggested to prioritise facilities for youngsters.
Proffitts have been working alongside the community of Edenfield, Edenfield Residents Association and council officers for several years, looking at the ways to improve facilities for young people in the village.
The statement of community involvement said: “The project has been shaped by the views of the community and has been tailored to focus on provision for young people.
“The pump track proposals provide space for physical activity, for young people to come together and to enjoy being outside together.”
A similar facility opened in Edgeside Park, Waterfoot shortly before Christmas. It resulted from a Love Parks consultation in which the council partnered with Newground Landscape Services.