Bike circuit on track to launch next month

Spencer Martin said the track in Ellesmere had been custom-designed

A pump track for bikes, skateboards and scooters in Ellesmere, Shropshire, is expected to be completed by the middle of August.

More than £70,000 was raised through crowdfunding to pay for the 240-metre (260-yard) track, with construction getting underway last week.

Clark and Kent Contractors said jumps and track features would be built this week ahead of stone and tarmac being laid later this month.

The track is being built on recreation land near Berwyn View, next to Lakelands Academy.

Pump tracks are circular loops with rolling sections and curved banks, designed to be ridden without pedalling.

The track in Ellesmere has been paid for by more than 200 residents, businesses and organisations.

Shropshire Council and Ellesmere Town Council each contributed £20,000 towards the project.

Ellesmere town councillor John Howard said local children had also contributed.

"A lot of the young people had brought their pocket money into the council to put towards the project," he said.

"As they've contributed, hopefully they'll look after it."

Ellesmere Town Council said young people had been asking for a cycle track for many years

"This track will take four to six weeks to build," said Spencer Martin from the construction firm.

"In terms of the weather, these are good, dry conditions and the only thing that'll slow us down is torrential rain."

Mr Martin said the Ellesmere track was the latest of around 250 bike and skateboard tracks built by the firm in the last 17 years, including the one used for BMX racing at the London 2012 Olympic Games.