Hog Hill proposed for new Eastway Cycle Circuit location

The preferred site for the temporary relocation of the Eastway Cycle Circuit – currently located within the boundary of the future Olympic Park – is at Hog Hill in Redbridge, the London Development Agency said today.

The announcement comes after a three-week consultation surveying whether users of the existing circuit would prefer to move to a site at Rammey Marsh in Enfield or Hog Hill in Redbridge, and work with the London Borough of Redbridge who would operate the facility. British Cycling have been a key partner in the process and have endorsed the Hog Hill choice.

“Both sites had their plusses and minuses,” says Gareth Blacker, Director of Development at the London Development Agency.

“Consultation was the best way to gauge the support of existing Eastway users. We have also had to carefully consider the deliverability of the temporary circuit, value for money and whether it could meet the needs of all cycling disciplines. We believe the Hog Hill site is the option that best meets these criteria.”

The Hog Hill site is located seven miles from Eastway, and is accessed from the Romford Road and Forest Road. The total site area is 17.7 hectares, and once developed it is proposed the cycle circuit length will be at least the equivalent of Eastway. Hog Hill also provides significant scope for off-road cycle use.

The Eastway Cycle Circuit is programmed to close at the end of September 2006, to make way for land remediation work and construction of the Olympic Park. Following the Games, the Velodrome and BMX course will become part of the Lee Valley VeloPark which will also include a reinstated on- and off-road cycling facility.

Notes:
The consultation process on the two sites ran from 12 April – 3 May.
More than 400 people participated in the consultation. 83% of participants said that they would be happy to move to Hog Hill in principle.