A pump track in North Berwick is ready to welcome riders of all ages and abilities following the completion of the construction project.
The track, which is suitable for BMX bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and adapted wheelchairs, is now open to the public.
The neighbourhood facility has been built on North Berwick Trust land next to Haddington Road on the town’s southern edge. Located near Law Primary School and North Berwick High School, the track is ideally situated for use before and after lessons.
It will form part of a new dog free community park - to be named Royal Burgh Park - with a wildflower meadow, tree planting, paths, and picnic benches.
The project is a partnership between the Trust, the North Berwick Community Pump Track Group and East Lothian Council.
The site was chosen to encourage its users to walk, cycle, scoot, or skate to their destination rather than travel by car. The Trust are leasing the community park land to the council for a peppercorn rent as a gift to the town. East Lothian Council will be responsible for the track’s maintenance.
Amazing project
Councillor Colin McGinn, the council’s Cabinet Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing and Sport, Countryside and Leisure, said: “I’m so pleased this amazing project has been completed successfully and this fun and safe space is open to the public.
“The creation of a pump track has received massive support from the local community, and we are grateful to the North Berwick Trust for identifying land and working in partnership to help bring it to fruition.
“I’m sure the track will encourage participation in cycling and other wheeled sports for many years to come.”
The 120-metre asphalt track, designed by Velosolutions UK to be welcoming and inclusive, will benefit everyone from beginners to seasoned riders.
The cutting-edge facility has received significant funding from sportscotland as well as the council.
Bring the community together
Sir David Tweedie, chair of the North Berwick Trust, said: “North Berwick Trust was delighted to offer part of its land within the new Royal Burgh Park to enable the town’s new pump track to be built.
“We’re very much looking forward to seeing it being extensively used by all ages to enjoy themselves. The new park will open fully in the spring of next year once the planting has had time to establish.”
A spokesperson for the North Berwick Pump Track Group said: “We are thrilled to see this facility open. We would like to thank the hard work of all involved and the North Berwick Trust for their belief in this project and the wider new park.
“We would also like to thank East Lothian Council, Sportscotland and Velosolutions UK for their hard work and support. We are looking forward to running an opening event in due course to help bring the community together and show how fun, accessible and usable this facility will be.”
Following the completion of the North Berwick circuit and the success of the Ormiston Park Pump Track, which opened in 2021, East Lothian is set to further boost its cycling infrastructure with the development of additional tracks across the county.