Gov’t invests £500,000 in closed-road cycling circuits in Yorkshire

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has revealed that £500,000 is to be invested into cycling facilities in Yorkshire. The funding comes as part of a wider £800,000 package to help promote the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire.

£500,000 will be paid directly to British Cycling as a contribution to constructing a number of closed road circuits across the county.

The facilities will provide a traffic-free environment for competitive and recreational cyclists who want to take part in the sport. The move will provide sites that will help increase cycling participation in the region, which is currently preparing to stage the first ever Tour de Yorkshire in May, following a successful hosting of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart.

British Cycling CEO, Ian Drake said:

“British Cycling has a proven record of delivering good value for investment in cycling facilities so today’s announcement by Deputy Prime Minister is great news for the sport and great news for Yorkshire.

“Expanding the network of traffic free cycling facilities has been a key ambition for British Cycling and we are continually supporting and investing in projects to offer cycling opportunities for all.

“Traffic free facilities are vital to increasing participation in cycling and we will continue to work with funding partners to support projects, large and small, nationwide.”

Minister for Sport and Tourism, Helen Grant, said:

“British Cycling has been a great success story in recent years and I want the sport to continue to grow at all levels. This funding will not only strengthen cycling in Yorkshire but also promote the area to tourists through the first Tour de Yorkshire this Spring.”