NEW VELODROME FOR LEICESTER

MORE than 10 years since the closure of the Saffron Lane track in Leicester, the city looks set to have a velodrome once again after plans for a new complex near the Beaumont Leys Leisure Centre were unveiled.

The complex will include many sports including motorbike speedway, five-a-side football and a national standard BMX track, but the cycle track is planned to be of sufficient standard that British Cycling have already pledged to move its regional office to the site once up and running.

Gary Coltman, the Leicestershire resident who won eight national track titles in the days when the national championship was held at Saffron Lane, said: ?At a time when cycling is a leading Olympic sport and Great Britain is the world?s number one track cycling nation, there hasn?t been a better time to replace the famous facility.

?It was not only home to track cycling in the UK but also provided many great opportunities to the residents of Leicester to engage with a great sport that provides multiple benefits in terms of health and wellbeing and sustainable transport in addition to the performance side of the sport.?

?Participation in cycling has risen by an incredible 40 per cent over the last 12 months; it is very much a growing sport and with BMX now in the Olympics it is simply a great time to build a facility that houses both track and BMX.

?Geographically it is perfect with great transport links for visitors from across the region as well as being situated very close to the National Cycle Network and providing opportunities for other types of cycling at the complex.?