Mandale Park BMX Track official opening

Riders at the new Mandale Park BMX track

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A former BMX track has been regenerated and cleaned up to create a new and useable track for local riders.

Today (Saturday 28 September) saw the official opening of the track at Mandale Park after eighteen months of work.

Matthew Lambert, from North West Riders, submitted a planning application to the Council almost eighteen months ago after reading that the land could be turned into a landfill site.

He said: “I think its something that was missing in Rochdale and I wanted to see the land be used for something good.”

Matthew added: “It was all overgrown with trees and had glass and bricks all over the ground.”

Almost £35,000 was spent to regenerate the track with the money coming from the Carillon Community Fund, United Utilities and Britvic, Transform Your Patch.

Phil Treaton, from Groundwork, said: “This is an area that really needed revamping. We are very pleased with how it has all turned out and think it is something that isdefinitely needed in Rochdale.”

Matthew now hopes to set up a cycle club to help maintain the area and keep the track in good condition.

He added: “The main aim of this was to get more people into riding and to keep the kids off of the streets. Hopefully that is something that will start to come from this now.”

Sam Rowles, whose four-year-old son Theo was using the track, said: “It is absolutely fantastic. It is definitely something that is needed in Rochdale.”

Theo was using the track with his friend, three-year-old Josh. Theo is currently the Strider British Balance Bike Champion 2013.

Daniel Chrimes who was also at the track today, said: “To me it is just like it was all those years ago but with a few different bumps.

"As long as they keep the motorbikes off it will definitely be used.”

Anyone interested in Matthew's cycle club idea can contact him via:

Mlambert223@hotmail.co.uk