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Selling homes in Maidstone since 1982 The Biketrack in Zurich, Switzerland
Bikerswelcome pump track plan
MAIDSTONE Council is consid- ering a request for a track for off- road cyclists as interest soars in the fast-growing sport. Agroup of mountain bike enthu-
siasts is lobbying the council to build a pump track – similar to the one in Hawkinge, near Folkestone – which gives riders an adrenalin rush as they speed around a circuit. Pumptracks are considered to be
safer than skateparks and are ac- cessible to a wider range of age groups and skill levels. Mountain biker Mike Jordan (27),
from Tovil, hit on the idea after vis- iting the Hawkinge track. He said: “Pump tracks are much
more versatile than skateparks and are accessible for people of any age, from toddlers on strider bikes to ex- perienced mountain bikers. “You don’t need any skill or ex- perience – although obviously, the better and fitter you are, the more challenging you can make it.” Mike has set up a dedicated Facebook page, which has drawn interest from more than 350 people and organisations, including the University of Kent Cycling Club and professional mountain biker
Joel Chidley. It could cost between £40,000 and £60,000 to construct a profession- ally-built track with an all-weather asphalt surface. Possible sites include Mote Park alongside the Red Bull mini BMX track, or Cobtree Manor Park. Mike said: “Not many people
have heard of pump tracks, al- though they're popular in a lot of Europe and North America, along with many other parts of the UK.” A pump track consists of undu-
lating terrain and banked turns that can be ridden on a bike without pedalling using a technique known as pumping. Mike has already spoken to offi-
cers at Maidstone Council’s parks and leisure department who have said that, provided he can gather enough support to show there is demand for a track, they will try to find an appropriate space and see if any grant funding is available. Mike hopes bike manufacturers
and other related companies will provide sponsorship. To learn more or to show your support, go to
www.facebook.com/ groups/pumptrackmaidstone.
Information boards renewed
TWELVE new historic information boards are being designed to go on display inMaidstone. The existing tourist information notices, which were expected to be in place for six years are now 12 years old, and “looking a little sad”, admitted Maidstone Council’s Christine Dyer at a meeting of Maidstone Town Centre Manage- ment. She said work was progressing to
approve designs, with the hope of getting the replacement boards up
across the town as soon as possible. Maidstone Town Centre Man- agement’s Events Group is also working with Celebrate Maidstone to produce two treasure trails for children and visitors. Both initiatives aim to engage,
educate and promote the area at home and to foreign visitors, com- plementing initiatives by the Town Centre Regeneration Group includ- ing new flags in Jubilee Square and garden planters outside the Town Hall and in the shopping areas.
Banned for drink-driving
ABEARSTED man who drove his car through the village with twice the legal limit of alcohol in his body has been banned from the road. Jeremy Ross (20), from The Almonds, admitted driving his VW Polo
along The Street in Bearsted, with 88mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath on August 1. The legal limit is 35mg. Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court banned Ross from driving for 22 months. He must also pay a £250 fine, a £150 criminal courts charge, £85 costs and a £25 victim surcharge.
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Maidstone East October 2015 21
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