A fantastic new free facility for cyclists, skateboarders and scooter users of all ages is being planned for Central Park in Wallasey – and local people are being urged to get involved and have their say to decide the final design.
Pump tracks are an increasingly popular way to encourage children and young people to exercise and build bike handling skills in a safe environment, away from traffic. They are fun to ride and develop fitness, skills and co-ordination. The design is a continuous circuit of banked turns and features that don’t require pedalling and can be used in different ways to suit all ages and abilities, from complete beginners through to experienced riders looking for a challenge.
Anyone who might be interested in using the track can visit the park on Wednesday 28 July between 2pm and 7pm to see the design options and share their views. The proposed plans are also available online now at haveyoursay.wirral.gov.uk, where you can take part in a survey until Friday 13 August.
The feedback from the event in the park and the online survey will help decide the design of the track before the plans are finalised and put forward in a planning application later this year.
The proposed location for the pump track is the sunken former rose garden which was chosen because of its visibility and accessible location in the centre of the park. The pump track will allow this space to be reimagined and put to use in a way which will benefit the community.
Developing the pump track is a key part of the Liscard Town Centre Action Plan which includes initiatives such as this one, aimed at providing diversionary activities for young people. The creation of the pump track will encourage cycling activity to take place in a safe space away from the high street and built-up areas.
Funding for the Action Plan has come from £1million allocated to Wirral as part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Mayoral Town Centre Fund. Liscard and New Ferry were nominated by Wirral Council to receive investment from the Fund, which was created to improve the vitality and viability of the region’s town and district centres.
Councillor Tony Jones, Chair of Wirral Council’s Economic, Regeneration and Development committee commented: “This pump track will be a great new addition to Central Park. It’s an important part of our plans to provide more recreational activities for young people in Liscard and nearby areas, and our wider efforts to regenerate the town.
“We want to make sure we design a track the way our local young people want it, so we’re keen to hear from everyone who’s interested to help choose the final design.”
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Getting town centres and high streets in all parts of our region back on the up has been a priority for me since I was first elected. During my first term, I launched a £6m Mayoral Town Centre Fund, which is benefitting communities like Liscard through projects like this.
“I know that town centres across the country are facing an existential crisis and the pandemic has only made that worse. But I’m committed to helping reimagine and regenerate these spaces and put them back at the heart of our community. Everyone should have a vibrant local high street that is a hub for people to meet, eat, shop and socialise.”