Whitchurch BMX Track concerns

 Work took place as expected in September to 'improve' the BMX pump track adjacent to the skatepark at Daniel Park, Whitchurch, which comes under the responsibility of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council.

Public reaction
Sadly, the public reaction was immediate and local social media erupted with a surge of disappointment when a resident posted photographs of the work that cost £20,000.

Comments on social media from local residents had included:

"Oh my god, that’s worse. Clearly whoever decided this was better didn’t consult with anyone who knows anything about bikes or bmx tracks!! Can we ask them to change it back as this is ridiculous."

"I thought the Town is full of potholes and someone thinks money is well worth spent on this. What a joke."

"That tarmac will be crumbled and it will be so gravely by the summer kids be falling off all the time"

"Is this a joke? Who signed off on that?"

and

"As a community what can we do about this?

One parent reported there have already been incidents causing injury:

"My boys have already hurt themselves trying to ride this pathetic strip of tarmac ... they, and their friends, are all so disappointed with this."

Basingstoke Council had also been asked if they had consulted with users, cycling clubs or national bodies, but it seems not. Comparisons have also been made with a recent pump track in Newbury which is very much wider and has gained much critical acclaim. However the costs there were much higher.  

Smoother and safer? Parts are better.
An asphalt surface has been laid on top of the existing dirt track to provide a smoother and safer facility for the users. Although the surface is now less rough, in places it seems quite narrow though it widens out on the turns. 

In some places it is barely over 1ft 6" wide,  particularly on the section coming off 'The Hill'.
But all is not lost as the surface is better and maybe some fairly easy 'tweaks' could answer concerns. 

It is hoped so.

Next stage?
It had been suggested that a launch event might have been held at Whitchurch similar to a SkateFest held some years back which was extremely popular. However the negative publicity has currently deferred that idea and an official response is awaited from Basingstoke and Deane on the recent complaints, with a meeting with officers arranged. It is good to have a local councillor now involved in this.

Let us hope the issues raised are resolved soon so our youngsters (and some not so young!) can safely enjoy improved facilities that Whitchurch so badly needs.
It should not take too much effort.