This popular Sheffield park is set to get a new bike track

Councillors unanimously backed plans by Access Sport to create a floodlit track near the tennis courts at the Penistone Road end of the park.

Access Sport particularly wants to encourage females, minority ethnic groups and disabled people to learn to ride. It says while lockdown created a boom in cycling, those groups tend not to ride bikes as much as others.

Joe McTague of Access Sport, which is behind the project, told a planning meeting: "We have secured over £250,000 to do this and it's thanks directly to the legacy of the cycling road world champsionships in Yorkshire last year.

"This will be a free facility and will include a learn to ride area and an advanced section. There will be a community club and community outreach programme and special offers for women, girls and disabled people."

There had been 26 objections to the track from local residents, who were worried about antisocial behaviour, noise and loss of green space.

Planning officers said there would be lights around the track which will be switched off at 9.30pm and seven more trees will be planted as a barrier for residents' homes.

Shipping containers used for equipment will have cladding or have green walls and the park still has an abundance of green open space for other activities.

Mr McTague said the site had been chosen as it was flat and also didn't interfer with the annual Tramlines festival.

He added: "We chose Hillsborough park as it's in a more deprived area but it's really well connected with cycling routes and Penistone Road and it's fast becoming a cycling hub.

He added: “There were 860 people who completed a survey which is remarkable..of those, 91 per cent support this which is fantastic.

"They also gave us a good insight into what they wanted and that was having equipment on site, having lighting and a buffer between the facility and local properties. All that has been incorporated into the plans."

Councillors were so impressed they have requested more of the tracks in other parks around Sheffield.

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