“Hundreds” of Biddulph residents turned out for the opening of a long-awaited pump track, which could also ramp up plans for a new cycling club in the town.
The open day, which included an appearance from world-famous mountain biker Josh “Ratboy” Bryceland, was hailed a “great success” by Staffordshire Moorlands District councillor Jill Salt.
“It was absolutely fabulous,” she said.
“Hundreds of people showed up and there were several competitions, including for fastest lap, best stunts, best kit and best bike.”
Coun Salt said she had donated the trophies that were presented to the winners. Representatives from Mountain bike brand Burgtec handed out free kits.
A pump track is a purpose-built outdoor area for cycling, and other wheeled sports with built-in bumps and ramps. It is designed to be ridden by riders “pumping” — generating momentum by up and down body movements instead of pedaling or pushing.
The refurbishment project by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council had previously encountered criticism from the public and councillors who dubbed it a “waste of money”, saying the playground had been repeatedly vandalised, with equipment destroyed.
Last October, Coun Salt said: “Since I’ve been a councillor, which is over 10 years, we must have spent £100,000 on the constant repair of that park because of vandalism.
“We wanted to make a pump track like the ones at Kidsgrove and Newcastle, on the old dirt track that used to be up on Church Road. But we’re saying now that there’s no way we’re going to invest and get grant funding if the stuff that’s already there is going to keep being vandalised.
“We can’t keep putting taxpayers’ money down on projects that are just going to be destroyed by a minority of people.”
Staffordshire Police said it had stepped up patrols in the area to deter vandals.
However, plans for the project were agreed and the new pump track was opened to the public last month.
Coun Salt said: “It was really well received. There were people using the track even before it officially opened.
“There were a few adults that took part on the day, but the majority were children, from very young all the way up to late teens.”
As previously reported, young people of Biddulph were involved in the design for the new track.
Ahead of the build, Biddulph Youth and Community Zone manager Antony Capostagno said: “By working with young people it will create a sense of ownership, and they will look after it.
“They have been designing elements of the ramps and how big they will be. It will create a community where they all help and learn from one another.”
Coun Salt said that after the opening, she had asked at a meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council if it could help to facilitate a new mountain biking club.
She said there was a “real appetite” for the sport in Biddulph and that the idea had already been supported by Biddulph Town Council at its latest meeting.
She said: “This would be a very exciting development from the pump track open day and now both councils have supported it, we just need to make it happen.” The pump track is available for use seven days a week.
(Photos: Jasper Van Der Vilt).
