The hard work of sourcing funding can now begin for a new closed road cycling circuit at Hereford Leisure Centre, after planning permission was granted by Herefordshire Council.

The project, developed in partnership between Hereford City Council, Halo Leisure and Wheeled Sports 4 Hereford, will create a local, regional and national level sports and community leisure facility that will put Hereford on the UK cycling map.

Former Mayor and current Councillor Jim Kenyon, has championed the idea of developing a purpose built cycling facility in Hereford since the idea was first identified during a public meeting in 2012. He told the Ross Gazette, "This new circuit will will be used by all ages and abilities, there will be adapted bikes for the disabled available, classes for young cyclists and of course cycling clubs will be able to train here in Hereford, rather than travel to Stourport or Cardiff.”

He added, “This will not only increase the number of confident cyclists in Herefordshire, but will drive forward cycling participation, club development and promote the development of future talent.”

The cycling circuit will provide a safe, traffic free facility at grass roots level for school children and young people to develop cycling skills and receive coaching. Sports such as Triathlon will be closely linked with the circuit, and the aim is to increase the numbers of local people participating regularly in sport in the community setting, that leads to healthier lifestyle.

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Halo Leisure will operate the new facility as an integral part of the Hereford Leisure Centre site. Significant effort has been made to ensure the circuit design fits around the existing leisure facilities without significant impacts. Alex Hains, Partnership Manager for Halo said, "A key feature of the design is the flexibility to build the circuit in two phases, subject to the availability of funding. The preference is to build at least 1km of circuit with lighting and to extend this to the full 1.5km length as soon as funding is available.”