West Midlands Velodrome petition

Can I ask those of you who would be supportive of the establishment of an indoor velodrome in the West Midlands to sign the online petition please- change.org - There is no suitable facility in the west Midlands where the Local Authority bid to hold the games with the strange idea of staging the track cycling in London. I appreciate this bodes well for London-based fans but we would all benefit long-term from such a facility in the midlands. Many thanks

https://www.change.org/p/councillor-ian-ward-build-a-west-midlands-velodrome-track-cycling-arena-for-birmingham-commonwealth-games

https://www.facebook.com/WMvelodrome

https://twitter.com/wmvelodrome

Surely even if there's no velodrome built in WM, Derby would be a more logical choice for the commonwealth games than Lee Valley? Either way, as you say it would be great to see a track in the west mids.

Are the Halesowen & Derby folks on side?

Derby would be a more logical choice for the commonwealth games than Lee Valley?

Seating capacity & venue infrastructure made LVVP a preferred choice iirc.

Makes sense!

Hi

Obviously Derby should have been in the mix and was discussed, however a number of considerations were unfavourable, seating capacity, access etc. Halesowen is an outdoor facility which is and will be much used. It is also a multi-sport facility, Athletics, tennis etc, it is historically a conservation site so further development would be problematic. Halesowen members are amongst those driving the petition and working tirelessly for a new track in the knowledge that it will benefit all.

The people working for the establishment of the Midlands velodrome are as much concerned with the legacy of the games and future development of the sport. Many of you may have raced at or spectated at Salford park track which was 500 yards from the M6 motorway , it was demolished by Birmingham City Council, despite great opposition, being in constant use. The land was given over to five-a-side football pitches leaving Birmingham without a cycling facility.

A similar fate befell another great facility - Saffron Lane track due to reprehensible inaction by Leicester Council.

Track cycling was a 'Cinderella' sport and as such allowed Local Authorities to ignore or maltreat it. We have never been in a stronger position to get funding and develop cycling. It's not about competing with other velodromes we just want to grow the sport and return a facility that was robbed from Midland cyclists and spectators.

A centrally-base Midlands velodrome will be of benefit to all who love the track - and those who will do in the future, please join us and show the politicians the strength of feeling in our community .

Thank you all for your interest and input, it is most appreciated.

Halesowen members are amongst those driving the petition and working tirelessly for a new track in the knowledge that it will benefit all.

That's good to hear. It still might be considered too close to Derby for the two to co-exist, however it could help with easier access reach into Shropshire and mid-Wales etc.

A similar fate befell another great facility... Leicester...

Also, the Butt's track in Coventry was left to ruin then turned into a Rugby Stadium.

Thanks for mentioning the Butts - the Easter Monday meetings were a big draw with the organiser Charlie Viner bringing over top sprinters from Europe.
I can also add Cannock track - yes Cannock ! to the list of lost velodromes - it was demolished I believe in the early 70s whilst still rideable

great idea, i have a track webstore thats birmingham based
birminghamfixedgear.com
we would push a velo in bham 100%

signed. and good luck dude

I really hope this succeeds. My move to Derby from the Isle of Man was completely predicated on the Velodrome.

Signed! Brum needs a world class velodrome! It's the the Capital of the UK (after London) ffs!

Signed, good luck Brum!!

signed, good luck

when are those BMW frames landing ?

Signed. Black country born and bred.

They’re in, get em while they’re hot !

Signed. Perhaps we could demolish the Molineux and put it there?

Is there enough time and money to build it in time?
Signed, good luck 👍🏻

Is there enough time and money to build it in time?

Unlikely on both counts. A legacy of the games could be the new venue maybe?

Not the Golden Palace!!

Yes, the custard bowl.

Keep this going!!!!

I am old enough to have raced on the tracks at Halesowen , the Butts, Salford Pk and the banked track at Leicester Safron Lane built for the world championships in early 1970s , I also went to Wembley and watched the 6 day (night) racing there. The middle midlands needs a good preferably indoor cycling track. As a pensioner I cannot afford to travel to London or Manchester to watch track cycling. The crowds for the CWG road race and Time trials show what a following (and participation) sport cycling has become.

Rip no track for central brum