Carmarthenshire Gearing Up For New Closed Road Racing Circuit

Welsh Cycling has been given a boost with plans for a new closed road circuit to be developed at Pembrey Country Park in Carmarthenshire.

The £500,000 facility will be of British Cycling standard, and only the second closed road circuit in Wales, in addition to Marsh Track, Rhyl.

It will attract local, regional and national events, races and training camps while the much needed facility will boost Carmarthenshire’s bid to be the cycling capital of Wales.

Welsh Cycling and Sport Wales have backed Carmarthenshire County Council who have allocated capital programme funding for the purpose-built track.

It will be good news for cyclists near and far, and will further boost Pembrey Country Park with an additional income of over £25,000 a year expected via entrance fees, caravan and camping stays and secondary spend.

Anne Adams-King, Chief Executive of Welsh Cycling, said: “The development of cycling facilities in Wales is a priority for Welsh Cycling as they provide opportunities for all to cycle encouraging physical activity and progression through sport to elite performance.

“Carmarthenshire is a hub of cycling activity, with clubs like Bynea CC, Towy Riders and Sosban Riders growing every year. The county has also produced many successful cyclists such as Team Wiggins rider Scott Davies and European Track Cycling Champion Manon Lloyd, and with facilities like Pembrey we hope this trend will continue to inspire Wales to cycle.”

Welsh Government has agreed to sign over a parcel of Joint Venture land on industrial space near the entrance of Pembrey Country Park meaning work will begin shortly.

When complete it will be used to stage competitive cycle sports, recreational events, and a traffic free environment for coaching and training.

Carmarthenshire County Council Leader, Cllr Emlyn Dole, said the facility will add to the regeneration of the county’s coastline, and will boost its growing tourism economy.

“This is an important part of the jigsaw,” he said. “It will attract more and more people and increase the visitor numbers as far as tourism is concerned and adds a lot to what is happening on the south coast of our county.”

Executive Board Member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell, said the development fits with the council’s vision to make Carmarthenshire the cycling capital of Wales – aligning with the aims of the emerging Carmarthenshire Cycling Strategy.

Indeed the whole county will benefit from this new development, with potential operating surpluses from Welsh Cycling, estimated at around £16-20,000 a year, to be re-invested into cycling activities and infrastructure across Carmarthenshire.”