If anyone has 2 minutes and supports the creation of a closed road circuit and MTB skills area in Derby for training and racing (will be used by cycling clubs, triathlon clubs, disability cycling, in line skaters) could you click on the link.
It just needs planning consent - funding is in place.
Comments
As it's you Pops! Although what notice they'll take of someone who doesn't live locally is anybodies guess!!
Done pops!
Again not local but no reason why we still can't sign it.
Have done. Father is very nearby so hope it gets approved
Done.
The 'against' out number the 'fors' by 323 to 299!!
Done
Done.
done
Thanks all, hopefully it will go through, if not at least we did what we could.
Just beat me to it! Awesome.
Yeah, I wondered why I had suddenly got an email from Derby Council...
Great stuff
I got the email too - hope it doesn't take them too long to build - I'm looking forward to using it already!
the only downside to this is the loss of part of an important nature reserve
Well it's a nature reserve - not sure how important it is as it's a brownfield site right next to Derby County's stadium that couldn't be built on because of pollution. It is a shame that that was the only site on offer - as always there was no consultation with local cyclists or wildlife groups as to the best location - British Cycling would only fund it if it was on that site - who knows why ?
getting the balance right between the demands of sports and wildlife can sometimes mean conflict of interest. I somehow suspect the nature objectors have been bigging the site up a bit more than it deserves (from info I've seen at least) - yes, all nature reserves need cherishing but the facility doesn't take over the whole lot, only parts of it. there are more important reserves imho that do need preserving more.
I think that's it. The initial plans for the circuit were scaled back a fair bit and nobody complained because it was a reserve - the wildlife lobby did wind a lot of people up putting it about that cycling was an elitist sport and claiming we already had a circuit in Derby - when what it really was was a cyclocross course set up with stakes and tape on a park for the day.
doesn't look like the argument is over yet pops - there's a petition to Sport England to try and stop it
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/sport-england-don-t-use-lottery-money-to-destroy-local-nature-reserve?share_id=pRcrHWugwV&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition
Yes to be honest I've had enough of it - I can see arguments on both sides - I do really want there to be a circuit but why it absolutely has to be in that spot I don't know.
seems to be rumbling on still with the Chief Sports Writer of the Times now wading in to the argument
http://road.cc/content/news/111248-times-sportswriter-simon-barnes-denounces-derby-cycle-track
I can't see how a bike track would destroy a nature reserve on a scale with what they're talking about. Its only a bit of tarmac - fence off the vast bulk of the park and the birds will be unbothered.
that's kind of my view cougs
I'm a bird fan (RSPB and Sussex Ornithology member) but frankly the nature guys are creating a mountain from not a lot. if the birds are there and undisturbed where they need to be undisturbed, they will get on with their lives. sure, there will be a small amount of loss of a few species who really do need a little less disruption but they'll go elsewhere - after all they were elsewhere before the NR was established and only moved in later. Derby CC should create a NR on some other brownfield site to compensate for the loss of habitat at this one - that would help pacify some detractors