Construction work has started on the delivery of the new £1.25 million West Lothian Cycle Circuit.
Contractors RJ MacLeod are now on site at Kettilstoun Mains, Linlithgow with work well underway to deliver the 1km floodlit cycle circuit which is being part funded via the national Cycling Facilities Fund. It is anticipated that the circuit will be completed in early 2023 and upon completion, will give everyone in West Lothian and beyond an opportunity to access a safe, traffic free cycling environment.
West Lothian Leisure will be managing the day-to-day operations of the facility reporting to a partner board which includes representation from Clarion Cycle Club and Linlithgow Community Development Trust. £636,000 has been provided via the national Cycling Facilities Fund. West Lothian Council is providing £349,000 with the remaining costs being generated from a range of external funders, including community fundraising.
The tender package was finalised in conjunction with sportscotland, Scottish Cycling, British Cycling, and project design consultants. The Cycling Facilities Fund aims to deliver a lasting impact from the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds being held in Scotland next year. By working with partners to provide accessible and inclusive facilities more people will be encouraged to engage with cycling at all levels, and new and existing cyclists will be inspired to make cycling a sport for life.
Suzanne McAdam from West Lothian Leisure, as well as Linlithgow CDT, West Lothian Council, SportScotland and Scottish Cycling all had representatives to join cyclo-cross, road and mountain bike cyclist, Cameron Mason at the West Lothian Cycle Circuit development site.
Executive councillor for Economy, Community Empowerment & Wealth Building, Kirsteen Sullivan said:
" It is fantastic to see work well underway to deliver a facility which will bring great joy to cycling enthusiasts from West Lothian and further afield. We would never have reached this stage without the support of key partners and most importantly, the effort of the local community. We look forward to seeing further progress made on the delivery of the cycle circuit and the day we can hand it over to the local community.”
Sophie McCall, Head of Development and Participation at Scottish Cycling, added:
“It’s fantastic to see that ground has been broken on the site of the West Lothian Cycle Circuit, and I can’t wait to see it completed and being used by the local community, and those from further afield, in 2023. I’m delighted that the Cycling Facilities Fund could play a role in making this happen and I can’t wait to see the impact this incredible facility will have on the whole Scottish Cycling community for many years to come.”
Carole Racionzer, Chair of Linlithgow Community Development Trust said:
“After all the hard work and millions of hours of volunteer time, we are so excited to finally realise our vision in Linlithgow. This has been a true partnership between so many organisations and we can’t wait to see the facility in action, a fantastic outcome for cycle-sport, for community development, for active travel and for cycling tourism.”