Ludlow News
Ludlow to get new bike trail for a fraction of the normal cost
8:00am Thursday 23rd February 2012
WORK has started this week on a major community project to provide a cross country bike trail for thousands of Ludlow youngsters.
The project will see a new life given to the disused one time BMX track in Gallows Bank.
Machinery has been brought in by local volunteers to begin clearing the site at Birch Brook ready for the construction of the bike trail.
Young people from the area are involved in designing it and have returned from a fact finding visit to a similar project in Bewdley.
The work is being led by the Gallows Bank Trust and by using volunteer labour the cost will be several hundred pounds instead of tens of thousands that would be the case if it was built on a commercial basis.
The area was handed to the local community 20 years ago by Shropshire Council on a 99 year lease.
Initially it was a BMX track but has fallen into disuse over the past decade although it remains popular with local people walking their dogs.
“What is needed is a proper cross country bike trail rather than a BMX track,” said Graeme Perks, pictured left, who represents the area on Ludlow Town Council and is a member of the Gallows Bank Trust.
“Young people are involved in this project at all stages from the design through to the construction that will be undertaken in stages.
“What we do not want is the typical top down approach in which money is spent and something is provided but the young people do not feel that they have played a part.”
It is envisaged that the bike trail will include both up and down hill sections as well as jumps and other obstacles.
It is expected that it will be ready for use by early summer although the trail will be further developed and added to into the future.
“This is an important new facility for our young people and will provide a challenge as well as helping them to keep fit and lead a healthy lifestyle.
“A similar trail in another part of south Shropshire is costing tens of thousands of pounds but we can show how a community working together can do it for much less.
“This trail is not just for people from Gallows Bank but will be open to cyclists from all over Ludlow.