Construction of a new £1.25m West Lothian Cycle Circuit will begin next month in Linlithgow.
The circuit will be leased to the Linlithgow Community Development Trust which will be responsible for the management of the facility. Final arrangements on the lease and operational management will be finalised between West Lothian Leisure and the Linlithgow Community Development Trust.
The new facility will be based at Kettilstoun Mains, Linlithgow and is being part funded via the national Cycling Facilities Fund.
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The total project is expected to cost £1.25 million. £636,000 has been provided via the national Cycling Facilities Fund. West Lothian Council is providing £349,000, with the remaining costs being generated from a range of external funders, including community fundraising.
The tender package was finalised in conjunction with sportscotland, Scottish Cycling, British Cycling, and project design consultants.
The Cycling Facilities Fund aims to support cycling facility projects across Scotland through an £8million fund, made possible through a £4 million commitment from Scottish Government and £4 million from sportscotland through National Lottery funds.
Local Lib Dem Councillor Sally Pattle told a meeting of the council’s Executive which heard the news: “I just wanted to say how delighted I am on behalf of the people of Linlithgow and also West Lothian this has been such a long time in the making and we are just so pleased that it is going ahead.
“The design is fantastic. It is world class. we can’t wait to see construction starting and we can't wait to start using it, so thank you all for the work you have done.”
Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “We are delighted that the project is moving forward and this is an exciting time for cycling enthusiasts in West Lothian.
“Various partners are working to deliver this project at a time when there is a significant pressure on public funding.
“West Lothian Council is committed to improving local facilities where possible and are extremely pleased to be able to lead on the development of this project before the management of the facility is taken over by the Linlithgow Community Development Trust.
“The plans look fantastic and feedback from the local cycling community has been extremely positive. We look forward to work beginning later this year.”
It is expected that building work will be complete in early 2023.
Stewart Harris, Chief Executive, sportscotland said: “Next year the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships will be hosted in Glasgow and across Scotland. It will be the single biggest cycling event in history, bringing together 13 existing UCI World Championships into one mega event for the first time ever.
“We want to deliver a lasting impact from the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds by inspiring new and existing cyclists to make cycling a sport for life. Facilities like the West Lothian Cycle Circuit will play a key role in delivering on that ambition, creating opportunities for people to take part in cycling in their local community which is why we were delighted to invest in this exciting project.”
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