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21
Apr
What's happened to Harrogate's pump track?
The prospect of a bike track being installed at Harrogate’s Valley Gardens appears no closer to materialising.
North Yorkshire Council mooted the idea of replacing the pitch-and-putt golf course at Valley Gardens with a pump track nearly 18 months ago.
Pump tracks are used by cyclists and scooter riders to navigate the natural bumps and bends in land to generate momentum.
The council launched a six-week consultation on the plans in November 2023. At the time, the authority said the new track could have been unveiled as early as the following April, but by March 2024, this was then pushed back to the following winter.
The Stray Ferret has followed the saga closely and asked for an update in January this year – in line with the authority’s timeline – after little progress appeared to have been made.
Councillor Keane Duncan, the executive member for highways and transport, said at the time:
We are grateful to everyone who took part and gave us their views on the proposals for this improvement to the Valley Gardens.
No formal decision has been made, but we hope to be able to give an update by spring this year.
Now mid-spring, the Stray Ferret approached the council for an update again.
However, a spokesperson this week said there is “no update” on the project.
The council previously said the pump track, which would take up 2,000 square metres, would be free to use for people to the age of 10.
It would cost the authority £2,000 to install and would be accessible all year round, unlike the nine-hole golf course which closes during wet weather.
The council previously said the rest of the pitch-and-putt area would be returned to grassland.
Pump tracks are designed to encourage movement with minimal pedalling. They have been described as being like a small rollercoaster for BMX riders and are particularly popular with younger cyclists.
There is already a pump track in Wetherby, as pictured above.
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