Disruption pledgeover BMX event

The BMX track at Stanley Park, which has recently undergone a £20,000 upgrade, is set to host a national competition with around 800 riders taking part.

Camping and parking facilities are being provided on the adjacent Lawson’s Road field to help accommodate up to 3,000 people including spectators and support crews.

Letters have been sent to residents in the area to reassure them about measures to minimise disruption.

The camping will be at the top end of the field close to the Village Hotel.

While Blackpool has previously held regional BMX races, it is the first time it has been chosen by British Cycling to hold a national event.

Riders will compete in rounds 9 and 10 of the National BMX Championships

Andy Hill, secretary of Blackpool BMX Club, said: “We have held regional events before which attract about 300 riders, but this one is a full weekend and is part of the national series.

“Riders are coming from all over the country and Ireland and will include elite riders.

“The event will see local riders taking on world number ones. Dramatic wheel to wheel racing and photo finishes are guaranteed.

“We have worked very hard and over the last three or four months around £20,000 has been spent on resurfacing the track, and putting in new pens for when the riders line up before a race.

“BMX is an Olympic sport. One of our club members has a world ranking, and my daughter who is 14 is on an Olympic development programme.”

The event, which is unticketed and free for anyone to go along and watch, has seen an enclosed campsite created.

Mr Hill added: “We are expecting the event to bring in about 3,000 people to Blackpool including spectators, and as well as the camping a lot of people will be staying in hotels in the town.

“When the track was built, the ambition was to host national events so we are really excited about the coming weekend.

“We have contacted residents in the area to reassure them and we expect everything to run smoothly.”

Racing will take place between noon and 6pm on Saturday, and between 10am and 5pm on Sunday.

There will also be stalls and trade stands.

The BMX track at Stanley Park was built around five years ago, funded using a £350,000 grant from Cycling England.

At the time there was some controversy because it meant the loss of one of the cricket pitches at the park.

But since then the facility has hosted a number or regional races.

The refurbishment of the track was funded with money from the council, the Blackpool BMX Club and sponsors with F.J. Fabrication carrying out the work.