Charity submits plans for inclusive community cycle track

Local charity, Seashell, is preparing to submit detailed plans this week for an inclusive cycle track and learn-to-ride school to be built on its campus on the Stockport-Cheshire border for children and young people at its school as well as the wider community.

The charity is seeking to build a 2 km off-road trail around the edge of its campus, offering three different routes and a special learn-to-ride track. The project, part of the charity’s £50 million masterplan for redeveloping its Cheadle Hulme campus, is designed to provide young people with complex needs and their friends and family with a safe place to get on their bikes. The track and learn-to-ride school will also be open to the local community to improve access to cycling.

Seashell’s Chief Executive and Principal, Jolanta McCall said:

We are absolutely thrilled to reach the milestone of being able to submit a planning application for this exciting cycle track. It will bring a fabulous new facility for both our children and young people and the local community.”

The Learn-to-Ride track has been designed by Playscheme as a safe space for young riders of all abilities to enjoy and boost their wellbeing as well as confidence on the bike. The track will offer a range of different surfaces, pathways and working traffic lights for riders to navigate, as well as replica road signs and markings to follow. Scaled street-lights will also extend the hours of use and get young cyclists used to riding safely at night, while a sheltered seating area will overlook the track.

Alongside the learn-to-ride track, plans for a 2 km off-road trail are also being submitted as part of the campus’ proposals. An initial green route, wide enough for adapted bikes used by some Seashell clients and shared will pedestrians will circle the campus, with additional red and blue routes offering wider ranges of interests and sensory stimulation, such as berms and other off-road features to challenge young riders. The tracks will be finished with a stone to dust finish to reflect traditional off-road surfaces, as well as rumble strips for an additional sensory experience.

The application is expected to be submitted to Stockport Council this week, and if approved, Seashell anticipate opening the cycle track in summer 2022. Future plans for the scheme also include an inclusive bike library and repair and maintenance facilities.