Longridge pump track plans launched - area for BMX riders, mountain bikers and scooter riders

The track - for use by mountain bikers, BMXers, scooter riders and roller bladers - would sit on 1,500sq.m of land within Longridge Recreation Ground in Kestor Lane, on undeveloped open space to the south of the existing skatepark.

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The plans have been tabled by Ribble Valley Borough Council following public consultation, which identified the requirement for a new wheeled sports facility to serve the local area.

What is a pump track? A pump track is a circuit of rollers, banked turns and features designed to be ridden completely by riders "pumping" - generating momentum by up and down body movements, instead of pedalling or pushing.

The works required for the proposed pump track iclude excavation of the area and subsequent formation of track bumps and berms of varying heights (between 0.4m-1.8m), with a minimum track width of 2m. This shaped area will be surfaced with asphalt, with painted lines following the pump track edges to highlight lines of priority and delineate the pump track route.

Turf will be planted between the main track's lines in order to offset the carbon footprint of the tarmac and ensure that the track integrates with the local setting. Wildflower planting will be provided on the soiled areas outside of the 1.2m turf strip and new native trees will also be planted along the eastern boundary of the site.

“Social isolation and antisocial behaviour”

In a planning statement, the council says: “Ribble Valley Borough Council own the playing field and plans to add a pump track on their own land to meet the needs and requests from diverse members of the community. The proposals will address local resident’s concerns about social isolation and antisocial behaviour, and absence of suitable age-appropriate facilities for under-represented groups. The proposed pumptrack will provide challenge, adventure and play for all abilities and ages reducing antisocial behaviour – which benefit all residents.”

A decision will be made by planning chiefs in coming weeks.