Published on:
15
March 2024
Contractors ‘On Track’ are building a cycle pump track in Clackmannan on behalf of the Council later this year.
The £139,000 project at King George V Park is being funded through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Fund, along with sportscotland who have provided a grant of £50,000.
The Clackmannan pump track project aims to provide a high-quality recreational space for young people, and is now entering a crucial phase of online and in person consultation with the local community.
This six-week consultation seeks to engage residents and community groups in shaping the features and difficulty levels of the track.
As part of the consultation, a dedicated website has been launched, at www.ontrack.cc/clackmannan with an Instagram page at www.instagram.com/clackmannanpumptrack, showcasing other examples of pump tracks and providing a platform for feedback.
Residents are encouraged to explore these examples and share their preferences to help inform the design process.
In addition to the online platform, two in-person consultation events will be held in the coming weeks. The first of these events takes place on Thursday 21 March at 6pm to 8pm in Clackmannan Church Hall.
These events will offer opportunities for face-to-face engagement, allowing residents to voice their opinions and suggestions directly to the project team.
Councillor Scott Harrison, spokesperson for sports, leisure and active living, said: “By actively involving residents in the decision-making process, the Council aims to create a vibrant recreational space that meets the diverse needs of Clackmannan's young people.
“With community input at its core, the new pump track promises to be a fantastic addition, not just to the Clackmannan community, but to Clackmannanshire as a whole.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: “The investment provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery to deliver the Cycling Facilities Fund has allowed us to harness the interest in cycling generated by the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and deliver a lasting benefit for the nation and the sport.
“By working with Scottish Cycling to shape the fund, we have been able to increase the opportunities for people to get involved in cycling right across the country.
“It’s hugely encouraging to see the number of organisations like Clackmannanshire Council who have grasped this opportunity to improve the lives of their local communities by investing in cycling facilities."
The investment from sportscotland comes from the £8million Cycling Facilities Fund, which aims to build on the growing interest in cycling by developing a network of facilities across the country and deliver a tangible benefit from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships held in Glasgow and across Scotland.
It has been made possible through a £4million commitment from Scottish Government and £4million from sportscotland through National Lottery funds.