Exclusive - Sefton to get a velodrome

Litherland Sports Park off Boundary Road in Sefton

SEFTON could soon be one of the main hubs for cycling in the UK if ambitious plans to build a velodrome and BMX track within the borough come to fruition, writes James Maloney.

Even though the plans are still very much in their infancy, the revelation has been warmly received by the cycling community throughout Merseyside.

Litherland Sports Park, which is already home to a £350,000 purpose-built track used by Liverpool Mercury Cycling Club, has been earmarked as a potential site for a small-scale, open-air velodrome.

Meanwhile, Netherton Activity Centre in Glovers Lane has been mooted as a possible site for a purpose-built track for BMX's.

Obviously, both proposals are still very much in their early days but if either were to get off the ground, then Sefton could rival the likes of Manchester in attracting cycling events to the area – especially since the demolition of the 43-year-old track in Kirkby.

Paul Paterson, secretary and welfare officer at Liverpool Mercury, said: “Sefton were talking about putting a velodrome somewhere by the circuit or just off the circuit at Litherland, but I don’t suppose it will be 1km – it will probably be smaller than that because of the space.

“It’s still all very much just talk at the minute and I am not sure if they’ve even got funding for it, but it’s probably something they’re might consider doing in the future.

“But the way they were talking before Christmas, there’s a good possibility. They also want to build a bmx track, which they reckon will be at the Netherton Activity Centre.

“What they’re probably thinking of doing is putting it [the velodrome] at Litherland because everything is up and running there now.�

Litherland’s track has already proved to be a major incentive in attracting amateur cycling and a number of top junior events have been lined up for this summer at the Boundary Lane site.

Sefton have also been recently quoted in the cycling press as being “interested� in building another similar track further up the road in Southport.

But with all the facilities and land already in place at Litherland, they may wish to pool their resources into a proven location like Boundary Lane.

Home to the Sefton Cycling Academy, which incorporates Liverpool Mercury, the 1km track is the only one of its kind in the region and hosts the British Cycling ‘Go Ride’ Cycling Skills Initiative that encourages talented young cyclists to be spotted with a view to developing their future potential.

The site also cater for cyclists with special needs and disabilities through the Wheels For All scheme.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: "The prospect of additional cycling facilities in Sefton is exciting, but it is very early days and any funding bids will need time to be developed thoroughly.

“We do not want to raise people's hopes at this stage, but we are continually investigating new sources of external funding, and as such we are currently considering the possibility of bidding for funding for new cycling facilities.

“We have been very proactive in encouraging cycling in the borough by providing new and improved facilities and activities, and we will continue to be."

Youngsters enjoying the 1km purpose-built cycl track at Litherland

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