Herne Hill Plans Unveiled

You make a good point that MrsMyth but, should the facilities be attractive, it may be easier to get corporate entertainment use of the velodrome and by so doing, bring in some good hard cash for the velodrome and for its coaches.

no doubt. no point in having a wonderful looking facility if it fails at it's primary objective of being a sporting/recreational cycling facility for s/e london

@MrSmyth - like people have said, supporters/families/etc might be more inclined to attend if the setting/aesthetic is less drab.

of course they would. some people would be put off if there was no hard standing bikewash and inadequate changing/showers after a muddy cross race.

^^^ and exactly the statement that will put off the rest of the local community. You're great at inclusiveness and encouraging non cyclists aren't you?

yes i am thanks. i have managed to drag non-track cyclists down there and a few non-cyclists too.

not having visited a shopping mall since brent cross circa 1980 i can't comment. if a cyclist is put of visiting a cycling utility because it looks a bit drab i suggest they find a new hobby/recreation/form of exercise.

Wrong attitude... we need more people involved, more people using the facilities and more people attending events as spectators.

More people means more say and more support from local and national businesses and companies.

More support means the track lives on...

@MrSmyth - I wouldn't want functional and necessary rider-oriented aspects left out, of course. Probably best for your to make your concerns known to the the architects/campaign directly.

I think there are some valid opinions on both sides here, but I don't want this to turn into an internet pissing contest (I will simply close the thread).

The STV committee have always asked for feedback and I suggest anyone with ideas should continue to provide it. The situation is unique in that it doesn't follow the huge budget yet straightforward demands of the indoor velodrome and despite the architects being well versed with that, it is entirely possible that some key aspects may be overlooked.

As an example, I am determined that there be storage and equipment (specialist tricycles and bikes) to allow riders with disabilities and wheelchair users to enjoy the experience of cycling in a safe, traffic free environment (ie: the concrete "warm up track" and safety area). It would be nothing short of criminal if something like this was ignored.

@RPM - Have you / will you be given the opportunity to input into the design?

be good to see some bike parking too. no mention of that in the plans.

Well I think it looks great :)

Would it be possible to use this thread to generate a list of constructive comments to feedback to the developers?

1) The Cote d'Azur should get painted a brighter blue, and integrated with the nearest cycle superhighway.

Would it be possible to use this thread to generate a list of constructive comments to feedback to the developers?

I was thinking this too.
This forum must represent a decent percentage of the current adult user base of the velodrome.

Everyone's a fucking expert when it comes to buildings!

I reckon we really ought to put a farmers' market in, selling my delicious Duchy goods, of course.

be good to see some bike parking too. no mention of that in the plans.

ooof!

I think the family track thing seems an interesting idea... anyone know what is proposed: tarmac, dirt, gravel? Separate from the warm up track RPM mentions?

To me (as someone who works in architecture) this looks good. HH reolize that they need the comunity to get involved. A cafe and family cycle path is a great idea. For what is a suberbaban area I could really see families teaching there children to ride here. Then going for a tea and cake. HH will suffer somewhat when the new velodrome opens because as much as people like HH the pringle offers a fantastic track with exelent facilities. That will be hard to pass up.

The fact that a big name architect has put a sustainable scheme togeather and is backing HH will add weight to the aplication and go a long way to saving it.

Definitely. And the HH Youth thing will probably get lots more interest, since the casual visitors will see the nippers razzing around getting all muddy on Saturdays. It's brilliant.

whose going to the next big save herne hill velodrome meeting, that would probably be a good time to raise concerns/questions/queries about the released design.

Think this thread would be a good place as mooted above to make a list of things we feel the design should include as cyclists who regularly use herne hill.

List of constructive comments to feedback to developers:

1. Storage and equipment (specialist tricycles and bikes) to allow riders with disabilities and wheelchair users to enjoy the experience of cycling in a safe, traffic free environment (ie: the concrete "warm up track" and safety area).

2. Plenty of secure bike parking facilities

My only concern is the family path that crosses through the spectators area. Or have I looked at the model wrong? At the back of the gransdstand? Anyone?

it does seem a bit odd that it passes right next to the cafe. i don't see any wall either? you can't have people falling 20ft to the ground and the wall needs to be high enough for people not to climb up. no disabled access to the cafe apart from the family track which seems a bit odd.
no proper seating/viewing area opposite the start/finish line, they seem to have put a door there. the sight line from the scorers box looks like the start/finish line isn't actually visible unless your 6ft and stand right up to the glass.

did anyone do any thinking when they designed this?

any reason why they're not doing it up as a sport centre rather than just for cycling? e.g running track, athletics, football, hockey, etc.

other velodromes functions as such. even indoor velos are used for other sports (volleyball, netball, badminton, basketball etc)

The local residents, who are driving this campaign, don't want that. When it was suggested that there could be a climbing wall, the response was swift. They like the idea of cycling. People generally ride to events. Few cars. Little additional traffic. Clean healthy pursuit without too much drunkeness etc.

Clean healthy pursuit without too much drunkeness etc.

They've obviously never attended a LFGSS track day!

Sorry I am late to comment, design "looks" great and also has some draw backs. I think I traditional stand in front would make far more sense. As it is from most of the seats in that design you wouldn't be able to see the start finish line which totally misses the point of seating!

Not sure how final the plan is, thought it was a promo. Think I'll know a little more in early Feb.

Also with a business plan like this, isn't it usual to get two or three submissions from different architects?

It's not uncommon to go to just one Architect if you're happy with the work they've done in the past and their fee is reasonable. On the other hand, it's often helpful to run a simple design competition, asking say three firms to submit their ideas and then chosing the best.

I would like this in front of the start finish line

With a bar/cafe at the back of the seating and gym etc underneath

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