Derby velodrome scheme review ordered

Work on the new arena, near Pride Park stadium, was scheduled to begin in June

The future of Derby's planned cycling venue has been put in doubt after control of the council changed.

The £28m velodrome had been developed by the city's Conservative/Lib Dem coalition administration, which lost control at the local elections.

The Conservative leader of the council had been expected to sign the deal before leaving office but he has now said this will not happen.

Labour, which had opposed the plan, has now ordered a report into its benefits.

The 5,000-seat centre, which would be able to host other sports, has planning permission for land next to Pride Park stadium.

It had been hoped it would open early in 2014, with bookings already being taken.

Create jobs

Outgoing Conservative council leader, Philip Hickson, said: "I would like to see it signed as soon as possible but within two days of (Labour leader) Paul Bayliss assuming the leadership of the city council, I think it would be morally questionable for me to sign it off and give them the let out of not making the decision to build the arena.

"I think they must now, after all the public pronouncements they have made about it, make a decision one way or the other."

Labour's cabinet member for leisure and culture, Martin Repton, said: "We genuinely have not made a decision to cancel it at this stage.

"It is important when making a decision of this magnitude that we do so in an informed way and we take on board the opinions of everyone in the Labour group and people in the city."

Dave Clasby, from Derby Cycling, said he was confident the project would proceed.

He said: "I just think this is a facility that will put Derby on the map.

"It will create jobs in the construction, it will create jobs when it is built, it will bring people into the city and it is something the city really needs."