Traffic free cycle track planned for Hereford Racecourse

Hereford Racecourse could be the site of a new purpose built closed road cycle circuit. The project has been on the cards for two years, but the racecourse’s owners, Arena Racing, have only now agreed for land to be used.

The Hereford Times reports that the circuit would be built outside the horse racing track on the golf course side of the barriers.

A public meeting will take place at Hereford Town Hall from 7pm on Thursday February 18. Halo Leisure has expressed interest in managing the facility and representatives will be in attendance.

Herefordshire councillor Jim Kenyon called for members of the public to also attend and put forward ideas.

"At our last meeting we moved away from the idea of having a velodrome and decided on the closed circuit idea instead.

"But we had to get permission from the racecourse and we didn't get anywhere. Since horse racing is now coming back to Hereford we spoke to them again and have now got permission. This meeting will let people give their ideas so we can take it forward."

Kenyon pointed to similar circuits in Stourport, Cardiff and Shrewsbury as being indicative of what could be achieved.

"When people travel to these circuits they spend money in the local economy and it would give people another reason to visit Hereford. It would be a great facility for people living in the city and would provide a safe environment for youngsters to ride instead of practising on the road.”

UCI Continental team, NFTO Pro Cycling, is based in Hereford and Kenyon suggested they might be able to carry out some of their training on the new circuit. "They also want to help youngsters and teach them, so it is an exciting opportunity for the city."

The University of Leeds recently announced plans to develop a new 1.6km asphalt closed road cycle circuit and it is hoped that the £4.5m facility might become a base for Britain’s triathletes.

That circuit is one of three currently being planned within Yorkshire. A £2.5m ’community sports village' at a former Bradford school and a 1.1km track on playing fields at St Thomas a Becket Catholic Secondary School in Sandal are also on the cards.