AFTER years of wanting a safe and fun space for kids to use their bikes, Colden Common is getting a woodland pump track.
Following four weeks of construction, the track, designed by Forte Trailscapes, will be open in Colden Common Park, in Boyes Lane, from Saturday, December 16.
The area is designed for balance bikes, scooters, BMX, mountain bikes and skateboards.
Colden Common Parish Council has been working on the project for two years, after the community realised there was a need for an area for kids to safely use their bikes, away from pedestrians.
READ MORE: Forest school and mushroom enterprise refused due to unpermitted home
Kye Forte, contractor and UK BMXer, said: “We’ve tried to create an outer loop which is a bit more challenging and an inner loop which is a bit of a warm-up beginner section.
“We’ve tried to make it so there are two tracks on busy days and one overlapping on quieter days.”
Debbie Harding, parish council clerk, said: “It all started in early 2021 when we had a near miss at the skateboard park. Some children were playing with their bikes and they were flying off the bunds at high speed, having a lovely time, but it nearly knocked over an elderly person who was crossing the green.
“From a health and safety point of view we had to stop the kids doing that and we realised quite quickly that there wasn’t anywhere the kids could go and safely play with their bikes and learn new skills and have fun because most of the woodlands in the village are protected.
SEE ALSO: Sports Direct to open new store inside shopping centre this weekend
“Councillor John Boyes was really keen to try and provide something where the kids could go and play. We had the benefit of residents David Light and Chris Brown who had been involved in this sort of thing before who advised that we needed to build something professional because dirt tracks can quite quickly become dangerous and need a huge amount of maintenance.
“So, they put us in touch with a couple of specialist companies, with Forte Trailscapes being one of them.
“Most of the trees in there were dead or dying. They were willows, they weren’t specimen trees and they were past the end of their useful life but there are plans to replant some trees around the outside.”
The pump track will be open from Saturday, December 16, with an official launch planned for the spring in conjunction with the Twyford and Colden Common Cycle Bus.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here