New London Marathon Charitable Trust Redbridge Cycling Centre opens

This week saw the official opening of the new London Marathon Charitable Trust Redbridge Cycling Centre. The facility in east London was bought by the London Borough of Redbridge from the Crown Estate after The London Marathon Charitable Trust provided a grant of £309,000 and the council has now pledged to keep the centre open for 99 years.

Initially a temporary facility built as a replacement for three former Eastway cycle facilities that were redeveloped for the Olympic Park, the new permanent centre now features a road circuit, a purpose-built mountain bike track, a ‘pump track’ suitable for BMXs and floodlights. It is operated by Vision Sport and Leisure – a not for profit organisation.

Present at the opening were, among others, the Mayor of Redbridge Ashley Kissin, Wes Streeting – deputy leader of Redbridge Council, Iain Varah – chief executive of Vision Sport and Leisure and The London Marathon Charitable Trust’s Peter King CBE.

Varah said: “Following complex discussions with the Crown Estate, who owned the land, The Trust money granted the leasehold purchase of the land so Redbridge Council are now the owners, giving long term security for the site.

“Sport England have now put £200,000 in for the floodlights and BMX track which will increase exposure to the community and make it sustainable. The facility is fantastic: we can use it at night, there’s a whole range of schools and community groups who use it. We’ve taken it up another notch; it’s pretty unique in the UK. It’s already brought a lot to the area.

“It’s a popular and challenging facility for elite cyclists and beginners. It provides a safe option for cycling so you can teach children and give opportunities to a range of cyclists.”

King, who was chief executive of British Cycling at the time the Redbridge Cycling Centre was planned, said: “In order for the Eastway cycle facilities to be given up we negotiated with the Olympic movement to have a temporary circuit built here so cycle racing could carry on. Once it was built we realised that the facility should have a much longer life. The Trust’s funding facilitated that.

“It looks brilliant now, it’s everything we ever wanted it to be and more. They’ve done a really good job; it’s been well designed and well built.

“From The Trust’s point of view it’s a very successful piece of Olympic legacy. Funding centres like this is a great thing for us to do. Had it not been for the grant I doubt it would have been possible to make it work. It’s enabled the facility to be finished.”

Streeting added: “It’s fantastic; the improved facilities will make such a difference to riders. I’m most pleased with the facilities that will enable disabled riders to take part; it’s not only helping the Olympic legacy in Redbridge but the Paralympic legacy as well.

“Without The London Marathon Charitable Trust it wouldn’t have been possible so we’re deeply indebted and grateful.”

Source: Virgin London Marathon

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