WHEELS are in motion to establish an off-road velo park in ‘Cycling Town’, after a £28,000 budget was approved for further consultancy costs.

Abergavenny has long had a reputation for pedal power, attracting some of the biggest names in the sport - such as Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas - to national championship races and tour stages, as well as hosting its own ‘Festival of Cycling’ for many years.

And Monmouthshire Council signed off the extra £28,000 funding last week ahead of submitting a planning application for a new velo cycling centre at Racecourse Farm in Llanfoist, Abergavenny.

The council says the scheme is already “at an advanced stage” following a consultation period.

And the new funding will move the plans forward, which include a mix of road, cyclocross and entry-level mountain bike facilities next to the Llanfoist recycling centre.

Council leader, Cllr Richard John, said: “This is a really exciting development for the Monmouthshire economy, furthering our reputation as a tourism destination.”

And Cllr Lisa Dymock, cabinet member for community wellbeing and social justice, added: “This is very exciting. I like the sound of ‘Abergavenny – the biking mecca of Wales’.”

It is the home town of double Olympic cycling medallist Becky James and has been recognised as one of the premier destinations for bike racing over the last 25 years, hosting British championship races and the Tour of Britain, including the Blorenge ’Rumble up the Tumble’ – named by Tour de France winner Thomas as one of his favourite mountain rides in his book ‘Mountains According to G’.

The new velo park is planned to cater for families, leisure cyclists and competitors to experience coaching, training, and racing as well as recreational use.

It will also be available for other wheeled non-motorised sports such as running, roller skiing and use by wheelchairs and adapted bikes.

Welsh Cycling has previously identified a lack of suitable regional facilities for closed road cycling as “one of the main barriers to the development of the sport in Wales”, and has worked with the council on developing the plans.

A design and access statement says: “The facility will be of regional and potentially national importance for the growth and development of cycling and other wheeled sports.

“It will further enhance Abergavenny’s reputation as one of the most successful cycling towns and destinations in Wales.”

A council report says further work needs to be carried out in response to a submission from Natural Resources Wales during the consultation exercise, although studies have been carried out to protect the ecology and biodiversity of the area, which is an environmentally sensitive site.

It adds: “The design of the velo park has carefully balanced the site’s landscape and ecological qualities with the suitability of the terrain and nearby facilities to support cycling and wheeled sports.”

It is hoped the planning application could be approved by June.