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| Nelson Town Hall |
A controversial bike pump track development at Nelson's Marsden Park has been approved by the Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley Committee at this month's meeting.
The site of the pump track has divided opinions in the town and even called into question the need for another pump track when there is one nearby in Barrowford.
Initially proposed to be developed at the top end of the park on the site of the old Lido, this was rejected by residents and five alternative locations were suggested (see map) including Southfield St and Lomeshaye Park (not shown).
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| Marsden Park, Nelson |
Residents who were both in favour and against the development had collected petition signatures for their position, with those against claiming to have 230 signatures, while those for the development had collected 152 signatures.
The Assistant Director Operational Services had recommended that the Lower Triangle be strongly considered as the chosen location despite it being the most costly and awkward site to build on.
The Walton Lane side of Marsden Park was already subject to intensive usage. Lomeshaye Park had been ruled out based on size. Southfield Street was an acceptable location but wasn’t preferred and there appeared to be very little public interest in siting the facility there.
The speakers in attendance spoke both for and against the proposed facility. The speakers speaking against the proposal did not feel another such facility was required given there was already a similar facility in Barrowford. They also felt that a football facility would meet better with the recreational needs of local children. The speakers questioned why Marsden Park, a unique and historical park, had been chosen at all when there were alternative sites they felt would be more suitable.
The speaker speaking in favour of the proposal said they had spoken to parents in the locality, and they had suggested that the Barrowford facility was too far away for their children to use. The speaker also said there was a call for alternative recreation provision in the area as a new MUGA would be constructed in Marsden Park which could be used for football. The speaker expected that a pump track facility would have a positive impact on youth anti-social behaviour in the Park and the local area.
Following discussion and consideration of the points made by all those in attendance, Councillors determined that the Lower Triangle within Marsden Park be chosen as the location for the pump track. It was noted that the Committee did not want to put the Nelson Town Deal funding, which needed to be spent within certain timescales, in any jeopardy, but hoped the extra costs associated with siting the pump track in the Lower Triangle would not compromise the viability of the scheme. Members also agreed that a different/alternative recreational facility was needed in Nelson.
Link: https://www.pendle.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/3383/nelson_brierfield_and_reedley_committee