A 75-year-old dream was finally realised with the opening of the Fairhill Pump Track at Alston.
The provision of a circuit for bicycles here was first discussed by the parish council way back in 1948 and, for various reasons, it failed to materialise, but on 4th June this year a cycle track finally opened.
On a hot and sunny day, the parade lap was initiated by Joe and Kayley from the professional construction company JB Extreme Landscapes who designed and built the track, and around 50 riders of all ages and abilities took part.
The Pump Track, as it is known because the riders can get around the circuit by ‘pumping’ their bikes over the hills, like people on a swing, has been built on an area of the five-acre Alston Recreation Ground.
This was handed over to the people of Alston around 150 years ago and is managed by a group of trustees who have been fundraising for a while now.
But thanks to the generosity of local residents and some fantastic grants from the parish council, Westmorland and Furness Council, and the National Lottery, construction was finally started in May of this year.
Although the area has been seeded, the unusually dry weather, which helped with construction, has left the track looking pretty bare.
However, the builders are confident that it will soon be green and will blend in nicely with the surrounding landscape. “The track is always open but unsupervised, and riders are reminded that they should always wear a helmet and knee/elbow protection while enjoying the banked curves and jumps of this fast, downhill circuit at their own risk.
“There is a little beginners’ oval at the top, ideal for the little ones, and there are playground facilities here too so that the area can be enjoyed by all ages, as well as having a lovely view,” said a spokesman.
There is a limited amount of parking available adjacent to the track, but, as yet, no toilet facilities are available.
