£70k pump track opens after crowdfunding

The track was officially opened on Sunday and Ellesmere mayor Liz Woodbridge tested it out

A pump track for bikes, skateboards and scooters created through crowdfunding has been officially opened.

More than 200 residents, businesses and organisations helped raise £70,000 to pay for the track in Ellesmere, Shropshire, which was opened on Sunday.

Jo Butterworth, Ellesmere Town Council clerk, said it was a wonderful day with people of all ages trying it out.

"Everyone pulled together. Everybody rode the track, young and old - my next door neighbour who is in his 70s was on there," she said.

One of the contractors from Clark and Kent Contractors, who built the track, was tasked with officially opening it and members of the Telford Flyers cycling club also came, she said.

"They brought one of their members, who is a nine-year-old boy who is the third fastest in the world on a pump track," she said.

"He was definitely one of the highlights of the day, so we were really lucky."

The track is now open "all the time", Jo Butterworth, Ellesmere's town clerk said

Ms Butterworth added: "I think the star of the show was a little three-year-old who got on there at about 9:30 and he didn't get off until about 3:30 [15:30 BST]."

"It was nice to see everyone on the track together."

Shropshire Council and Ellesmere Town Council each contributed £20,000 to the scheme.

Ms Butterworth thanked the public for raising so much money for the 240m (787 ft) track.

"It was just amazing to see everyone contribute," she said, adding a sign was now up acknowledging and thanking everyone for the fundraising.

Feedback suggesting a pump track being built came in when residents were surveyed some years ago about their long-term views for the area.

"It shone though" that was what residents, including young people wanted, she said.

Some children helped design the track which gave them a "sense of ownership", Ms Butterworth said.

The track was now open "all the time" with everyone encouraged to use it.