Wenlock Downhill Bike Track Moving on Apace

Teenagers in Much Wenlock are set to hold a ‘Dig Day' on a new bike track they are building with the support of two world-ranking downhill mountain bikers.

Members of Wenlock Bikers, made up of young people from the town and surrounding areas, are almost three-quarters of the way towards completing the course, which has been made possible due to partnership working between the police and the National Trust.

And in the meantime, funding has been secured for the group to use the town's Edge Adventure complex to hone their skills over the summer holidays, while work is ongoing.

PC Stuart Lippitt, local policing officer for the area, said the group could access the site of the new downhill track anytime but a special ‘dig day' had been set up for Sunday 1 August.

"They have put a huge amount of work into this and are just starting to ride some parts of the track which have been finished, learning the best lines to take to negotiate the course," he said.

"Although the dig day has been set aside, many of them have continued to work on it over the summer holidays and, once complete, it will be a new facility for anyone to use in the town."

Wenlock Bikers continues to grow as a group and has attracted support from two professional downhill mountain bikers - downhill racer Matt Simmonds and rider Jessica Stone.

"Both of these have world ranking status and it has been a huge boost for Wenlock Riders to get such backing," added PC Lippitt.

The project is being highlighted as part of West Mercia's ‘Respect Week' and aims to promote the range of measures that the force and our partners have in place to address and reduce anti-social behaviour.

Our aim is to raise awareness of the impact anti-social behaviour can have on others and encourage communities to respect and tolerate each other.

Communities can play an active role in identifying and reducing ASB by providing us with valuable information about what is happening in their area.

If you have any information or concerns, you can raise them by:

• Attending your local PACT meeting, surgery or event.
• Calling 0300 333 3000 to speak to your local policing team.
• Emailing your local policing team via the force website www.westmercia.police.uk
• Calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to report information anonymously.

To find out more about PACT activities in your area visit www.westmercia.police.uk or call 0300 333 3000.

Issued: Tuesday 27 July 2010