Permission granted for new BMX track

Councils up and down the land are facing unparalleled challenges to cut their spending as a result of the coalition government's efforts to reduce the fiscal deficit. However, one local authority has agreed it will provide funding for a project that will enable people to use their BMX bikes.

Crawley Borough Council in West Sussex has granted permission for a BMX track to be constructed, thisiseastgrinstead.co.uk reports.

The site will be based in Langley Green adjacent to Cherry Lane Adventure Playground. According to the publication, it will be one of eight BMX tracks of its kind in the south-east of England. The closest facility for those keen to use their BMX bikes is currently based in Dagenham, it added.

Set to cost ?5,000, the track is being funded by West Sussex County Council and it will be screened by trees that already exist in the area.

Commenting on the development, councillor David Shreeves, committee member and elected member for Langley Green, remarked: "This is a very welcome facility, not only for Langley Green but for the whole of the town. The fact that it is to be built on the site of a previous old cycle track in Cherry Lane gives the word recycling a different meaning for this borough council."

Meanwhile, Stephen Joyce, who is also an elected member for Langley Green, added that the decision regarding planning permission was unanimous. He went on to state he believes the track will be "brilliant" for the area as a whole and the most positive aspect of the venture is the fact children will be able to use it.

He also pointed out that the provisions will provide both disabled youngsters and "keen BMX cyclists" the chance to use the tracks and this is something he and his colleagues "really pushed for".