Help shape the design of Bath’s new family cycle centre and activity park

Residents in Bath and North East Somerset are being invited to have their say on the next step in the development of a multi-use activity park at the former Entry Hill golf course site.

Following an open procurement exercise which appointed Pedal Progression to create a new mountain bike and family cycling centre, Bath & North East Somerset Council has launched a public consultation to help shape the final project.

The council is inviting the community to submit their suggestions or concerns on the layout, design, accessibility and sustainability of the site.

The park is hoped to open in spring 2022 and aims to provide more people with the opportunity to enjoy the site by bike or on foot, linking to new and existing cycle routes.

It will cater for bikers, families, walkers and nature-lovers, providing free access to park areas and trails for walking and cycling, a learn-to-ride area with pump track and a new natural play park. People of all abilities will be able to enjoy an exciting bike ride, including balance bikes and disability trikes to tandems and mountain bikes.

New wildlife habitats and wider biodiversity will be encouraged with a nature garden, pond, tree planting and community growing area. There will also be a new and expanded café with seating and viewing areas across the park.

Ahead of the project’s completion, Pedal Progression will also be providing a summer programme of cycling and activity events for children during the school holidays. A temporary café will also be open during this time.

The park consultation page can be viewed here. The consultation on traffic and parking is open and consultations on the other topics will begin on July 19. Paper surveys are available on request by emailing mark@lemongazelle.co.uk. The consultation closes on September 6.

Councillor Jess David, cabinet assistant for Neighbourhood Services, said: “This exciting new park supports our commitment to get more people, more active, more often and is going to rejuvenate this important green space in the heart of Bath. Although providing biking facilities for all ages and abilities is an important part of the plans, there are wider elements such as the community spaces and biodiversity enhancements that we need your views on too. Please help us shape a brilliant and sustainable multi-use park for Bath by having your say in the consultation.”

Pedal Progression, a skills coaching and bike hire company, is committed to engaging with the local community about the plans.

The temporary café, initially open from July 29 to August 28 from 10am to 4pm while summer holiday activities are running, will act as an information point for residents to find out more about the park plans.

Matt George, Director at Pedal Progression, said: “We are excited to be able to move to this stage of the process and to get the views of the community.  There are many factors that will shape the final design, these include the visual landscape, ecology, location of houses, traffic and parking and noise considerations. We have considered these in our concept designs but now need to refine these based on the feedback from the community.”

The park will also:

• Provide activities for under 18s and help to strengthen communities through providing volunteering opportunities and creating spaces to be used by the whole community.

• Focus on providing new opportunities for adults and young people with disabilities through cycling.

• Provide opportunities for wider community engagement; through offering regular community events, recruitment of ‘community ambassadors’ and free access to the ticketed elements of the park for community organisations.

The car park and toilets will be open on days when Pedal Progression activities are running and when the café is open.

The activity timetable will include off road cycling for five to 14 year olds, Forest School, Super Pirates, a nature spotting trail and photo and drawing competitions. The timetable is subject to change and will be updated here.

Find out more about Pedal Progression and read their frequently asked questions about the park.