THE STATE-OF-THE-ART BMX and skate park being constructed in Bexhill is on track to be finished in the spring.

Rother District Council is building the community facility with financial support from Sport England, British Cycling and Heart of Sidley which, when completed, is expected to be one of the leading venues for bikers and skaters in the south east.

The park, which is being constructed by Trinity Civil Engineering in conjunction with specialist BMX track designers Forte Trailscapes and skate park engineers Canvas Spaces, is taking shape after several months of preparatory groundworks.

Much of the concrete for the skate park has now been laid to a high quality finish and this work will continue over the coming weeks.

The local skateboarding community have been actively involved in the skate park design, which features a mix of street and transition elements including quarterpipes, grind ledges and rails, and granite kerbs.

The skate park will be usable by scooters, in-line skaters and BMX bikes as well as skateboards.

The initiative was given a further boost recently when international BMX star and track designer Kye Forte of Forte Trailscapes and his team joined Trinity Civil Engineering on site to work on the detailed shaping of the race track features.

Construction of the adjacent BMX jump park is also underway with work increasing during the next few weeks.  

In addition, as part of the project’s Ecological Design Strategy, bird and bat boxes have been mounted in trees around the site to support local wildlife, trees have been planted and sensitive lighting is being installed to minimise the impact on nocturnal mammals.

Councillor Hazel Timpe, lead council member for Communities, Culture, Tourism, Sport and Leisure, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we’re on track to open this wonderful new facility in the spring.

“It will provide a fantastic boost for many people, especially our younger residents and visitors who will have the opportunity to use one of the best BMX and skate parks in the region.

“I would like to thank the council and all the key partners for their work, drive and determination which has got us to this stage. I cannot wait for the grand opening and to see the park being used by the local community.”

All the facilities will be free to use and will help promote healthy lifestyles by encouraging people of all ages to enjoy the outdoors and be more active.

It is hoped the BMX and skate park will open up opportunities for local children and young people to try new activities in an environment where they feel safe and supported.

The project is being funded through Rother District Council’s capital programme and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions along with significant grants from the Big Local through the Heart of Sidley, Sport England and British Cycling.

Money from BMX Club fundraisers and from other organisations, including Hastings Round Table and the Safer Rother Partnership, has also been contributed to the project.

More information on the project can be found online at https://www.rother.gov.uk/leisure-and-events/bexhill-bmx-and-skate-park/

Published: 3rd March 2022