In a first for the Isle of Wight, new mountain bike trails are being proposed in a bid to improve a popular cycling centre.
In a project fully funded by Sports England, the Isle of Wight Mountain Bike Centre is looking to introduce a range of new trails at its Cheverton Farm base.
3 types of trails are proposed, with varying levels of difficulty, featuring jumps, rollers, bridges and gravel patches.
Work is underway and in an application to the Isle of Wight Council, applicants A Hodgson and M Townsend are looking to gain consent for ‘a high-quality rural leisure sports attraction’.
Shorwell and Brighstone Parish Councils both support the application in principle but have concerns, including how the trails may overlap existing public rights of way – echoed by objections from The Ramblers Association and Open Spaces Society.
Island Roads has recommended the proposals be refused, warning it would likely generate more traffic on Cheverton Shute, which has limited visibility, ‘unduly’ adding ‘to the hazards of highway users’.
Planning documents submitted by agents BCM say the trails will encourage active engagement to promote social health and wellbeing, as well as leisure and tourism.
While the Island is promoted as being a cycling destination, BCM says, there are no mountain bike trails and the centre can be a place where people can go to ride purpose-made trails.
BCM says a majority of the trails would offer a ‘light touch’ to the ground and would use the existing surface without alteration.
Supporters say the application will dramatically improve the off-road cycling facilities on the Island, for residents and visitors of all ages, as well as cycling skills.
Let’s make this happen what a great think for young ones on the island and bring more mountain bikers from all over the country
Let this happen be such a great asset for the Isle of Wight
And so good for the youth
A fantastic investment in the Island that will probably be stalled/prevented by Island roads. We have to accept that the island road infrastructure is poor quality and this cannot continually be the reason that investment does not go ahead in the Isle of Wight. When will Bob Seely step in and finally get investment in the Island moving?
It is ON the island and not IN the island.
Unless you some how manage to dig a gurt big boar hole.x