New hut for BMX club in Bideford

It will provide shelter, safety and progression

A Bideford BMX club is getting a new shelter at the start of its track to provide safety and progression for riders.

The covered ‘start gate hub’ will protect them from the elements at the exposed and windy facility on council land at Pollyfield, East-the-Water, close to the coast.

Cllr Jane Whittaker (Con, Northam) said the BMX club, which is understood to be the only remaining one in North Devon, had overcome a huge number of hurdles over many years.

“They should be congratulated that they are still here and offering something quite unique to young people in this area,” she said.

The club’s track is of national standard and it has a clubhouse with changing facilities and a car park.

Torridge District Council’s planning officers said the proposal would have “minimal impact” on the nearest residents in Clifton Street, 40 metres away.

Bideford BMX Club has been running since the 1980s and offers training to experts and beginners from ages of four to 50+.

Over the last 10 years it has installed mains electricity, water and sewerage and a perimener fence, upgraded the track to make it more challenging, and improved the clubhouse.

The club said without the new hut, the wind affects riders’ ability to balance on the start gate.

It would double up as a coaching facility with televisions screens to play back video analysis.

“The hut will have a large effect on rider progression,” said the club on its website.