Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, is pleased to announce the opening of a new learn-to-ride cycle track at its Waverley development in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. The project was funded by a £45,000 grant from Places to Ride, a partnership between British Cycling, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (“DCMS”) and Sport England. Harworth’s bid for the funding was prepared in partnership with South Yorkshire Housing Association.
An opening event took place on 26 September, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting by triple Olympic champion Ed Clancy, who grew up in the region and serves as Active Travel Commissioner for the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (“SYMCA”). The event also saw a demonstration of the site’s pump track by Team GB Junior BMX Racer George Hunt, before pupils from Waverley Junior Academy took part in a series of workshops to develop their cycling skills.
At Waverley, Harworth is in the advanced stages of developing a new community which will deliver over 3,000 homes and around 4,000 high-skill jobs at the adjacent Advanced Manufacturing Park (“AMP”), alongside 310-acres of green space and a range of community facilities. The learn-to-ride cycle track sits at the heart of the site, providing a safe, fun and traffic-free environment for children to learn to ride a bike and progress skills before venturing onto Waverley’s connecting cycle paths and roads. It will eventually form part of Highwall Park, a planned 1.5km green space connecting the AMP to the Waverley lakes.
Harworth is also sponsoring a series of free workshops at the track during the October half term. Facilitated by Tuff Riders, the workshops will include expert guidance from certified instructors, tailored sessions for all skill levels and exciting activities designed to boost confidence and develop essential bike handling skills.
The Places to Ride programme has made £15 million available to ensure a lasting legacy in England from the 2019 UCI Road World Championships, which took place in Yorkshire.
“The development of Waverley is continuing apace, and this learn-to-ride cycle track is just the latest example of the sustainable community infrastructure Harworth is delivering to make this a great place to live. We look forward to working with partners to develop the next generation of cyclists across Rotherham and the wider region.”
Ed Catchpole, Regional Director for Yorkshire & Central, Harworth Group plc
“It’s a privilege to open this new learn-to-ride cycle track at Waverley. I am committed to using my platform to get more people of all ages to walk, cycle, scoot or skate around South Yorkshire, and facilities such as this are key to helping young people develop their cycling confidence and ability.”
Ed Clancy, triple Olympic champion & Active Travel Commissioner for SYMCA
“Harworth and South Yorkshire Housing Association are doing great work to get more people cycling in Waverley, so we are pleased to support their efforts to bring the community together and provide innovative cycle facilities through Places to Ride. As we enter the final period of allocating grants through the fund, we are incredibly proud to see how it has already enabled so many people from a range of backgrounds – regardless of age, gender, ability or ethnicity – to get involved with cycling.”
Anthony Gill, Head of Sport at British Cycling
Harworth’s October half term cycling workshops will take place throughout the day on 24 and 27 October, and places can be booked for free by visiting this link.