British Cycling Position Statement - Olympic Park Legacy

Sport England and British Cycling have submitted a joint objection to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) regarding two planning applications submitted by the Olympic Park Legacy Company to change the Velopark after London 2012.

We believe the existing plans for the Velopark approved by the ODA will ensure a greater legacy for cycling following London 2012 and are fully supported by the key project partners including British Cycling and Lea Valley Regional Park Authority.

While the objection has been lodged, we are trying to work with all parties involved in the Velopark to find a satisfactory solution to the issue.

Posted: March 24 2011

The 2012 Olympic Games provide British Cycling with the chance to create a lasting legacy for the sport of cycling, and the organisation is committed to maximising the impact of this once in a lifetime opportunity. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London will house a range of world-class cycling facilities and we must ensure that these are utilised in the best possible way. It is essential that all members of the community can experience and enjoy what cycling has to offer once the Games are over.

The legacy cycling scheme, approved and agreed in 2010, meets these requirements. It was devised by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA), British Cycling and the wider cycling community. It is fully supported by British Cycling at a National and Regional level and includes provision for BMX, Cyclo-Cross, Mountain Biking, Road Cycling as well as the Velodrome for Track Cycling.

Since the scheme was approved, a new organisation - the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC) - has been created and is now responsible for the long term legacy planning and development of the whole of the Olympic Park. It has reviewed the agreed cycling scheme, and has identified some potential changes to the layout of the Mountain Biking trails and Road Circuit.

British Cycling will continue to advise both the ODA and the OPLC to ensure that any and all proposals put forward are right for our sport. Ultimately one proposal will be chosen and for British Cycling, the National Governing Body, it is right and proper to ensure all options on the table have benefitted from our technical expertise and experience so that, whatever the outcome, cycling will benefit.

Currently, only the ODA scheme has both planning permission and clearly identified funding together with an acceptable timescale for delivery of the legacy cycling facilities. If a formal proposal can be put forward by the OPLC which also meets these criteria, British Cycling will fully consider the sporting merits of their alternate proposal against that of the ODA scheme. Until such time, British Cycling continues to fully support the ODA scheme.

British Cycling is committed to help ensure the right decisions are made for our sport. We have been at the heart of all discussions with regards to the legacy cycling facilities from the outset and we will continue to work closely with all partners in this hugely important piece of work.