The Herne Hill Velodrome is now, with British Cycling’s backing, in Phase Two of a regeneration programme to secure the long term future of the site as a cycling facility in London.
This second phase, which will see the planning and construction of a junior track, hard standing and lighting, follows the crucial first phase which saw British Cycling help secure the lease for the historic site before the organisation set about resurfacing the velodrome's crumbling track.
The project phases
Phase One – In 2011 British Cycling saved the Herne Hill Velodrome’s immediate future by negotiating a lease on the site with The Dulwich Estate as landlord and paying for the urgently required resurfacing of the 450m track and fencing repairs.
Phase Two - is the current phase to develop the facilities at the velodrome. The Herne Hill Velodrome Trust (Trust) have been granted £400,000 from Southwark Council’s 2012 Olympic legacy fund and are proposing the construction of a junior track, hard-standing area and lighting columns to widen participation.
Phase Three - The Trust is already in the process of conducting a feasibility study and raising funds for the building of a modern new pavilion building on the site.
Phase Two – Southwark Olympic Legacy Project (SOLP)
The Trust has commissioned feasibility studies and sought the views of current and potential cyclists, local residents and other stakeholders to develop the SOLP proposals. Subject to receiving consent from The Dulwich Estate as landlord and planning approval from Southwark Council, the Trust proposes the following:
Junior track - a 250m circuit in the track centre to enable the development of track skills amongst younger riders and offer a suitable warm up and cool down track for riders during events.
Hard-standing - an enclosed tarmac area in the track centre for activities such as Bikeability training, bike polo and non conventional bikes such as hand bikes that require a hard surface independent of the main 450m velodrome track. The hard-standing will also provide a safe designated waiting area for riders.
Both the junior track and hard-standing area have been carefully positioned so as not to obstruct the view of the main velodrome track.
Trackside Lighting – the Trust are looking to install lighting columns to extend usage of the track beyond daylight hours, particularly in the autumn and winter months. Usage of the lights will be subject to time limits and designed to have minimal impact on local residents.
British Cycling has been working with the Trust to develop these proposals.
UPDATE 14/11/2012: The Trust has submitted the plans to Southwark Council. A decision is expected within the next few months and we will let you know the outcome.
