Planners & Development Economists

• HOME
• CONTACT US
• CLIENT AREA

• OFFICES
  • Edinburgh
  • Exeter
  • Glasgow
  • Leicester
  • London
  • Manchester

In late 2009, Roger Tym & Partners was appointed to undertake a feasibility study of a Velopark (a mountain bike trail network) in Clayton Vale, East Manchester.  The study was undertaken on behalf of a steering group comprising New East Manchester URC, Manchester City Council and the British Cycling Federation.  The proposed Velopark would complement the existing Velodrome and BMX Centre (under construction) at the nearby National Cycling Centre. 
The baseline elements of the feasibility study include:

• a review of the strategic and policy context for the development of a Velopark at Clayton Vale
• assessment of the likely levels of demand for it through analysis of market segments
• consideration of how the proposals relate to existing users and uses of Clayton Vale
• examination of the potential of the Vale as a mountain biking destination based on its physical and topographical characteristics
• assessment of the potential for a range of mountain biking events from mass participation to elite levels. 

In a more practical sense, the study also considers the need for and potential sources of funding and sets out the key lessons from a variety of case studies of Velopark developments elsewhere in the UK.  RTP is working alongside experts in mountain bike trail design and cycling events management. 
The RTP-led team identified and assessed a number of options for the scale, nature and extent of any future trail network, options for the location and nature of a ‘trailhead’ to serve the network and the management and governance options.  Each option was considered in terms of its cost, outcomes and issues and against the agreed objectives for the Velopark project, which include:

• the creation of a trail network that is accessible for family/recreational use but also challenging and interesting for more enthusiastic riders, attracting up to 150,000 visits per annum by 2015
• establishing a financially stable partnership management structure to provide the necessary resources to manage and maintain the Velopark
• developing and operating a sustainable events programme.

An appraisal of each of the options, as part of a workshop including the steering group and other stakeholders, selected preferred options for the network, the trailhead and management structure.  This preferred option was then worked up in further detail, along with an assessment of the likely costs and funding sources, a risk assessment and assessment of its’ likely economic impacts and community outcomes.  Advice was also provided on the ‘next steps’ in taking the Velopark project forward.  Detailed delivery planning is due to commence in 2010.

HomeSite Map

© ROGER TYM & PARTNERS 2010   CREATED BY FROGBOX MARKETING