Issue details

Following on from the successful hosting of the Tour de Yorkshire stage finish in 2016 and 2018 a decision was made to construct a 1km closed road, cycle circuit. As the popularity of cycling, as a sport and activity, continues to grow, this circuit will provide an accessible and safe environment to support future recreational and performance cycling.
By building a cycle circuit, Doncaster will be provided with a new physical activity offer that will be of benefit across the borough. This will provide a further option for the Doncaster public to engage in physical activity which may allow previously inactive people to ‘get active’ by taking part in a new and exciting cycling activity. The cycle circuit will also facilitate the current growth in recreational and performance cycling following recent exposure via the Tour de Yorkshire and will be used to host the start of the UCI World Championships in September of 2019.
DMBC are working in partnership with Sport England / British Cycling on this project. During preliminary works it was identified; that the circuit must be a minimum of 1km in length; that the design specifications must be agreed by all partners; and that it is also easily accessible by the wider populations of North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire - thus making sure the circuit is economically viable and minimising the cost to Doncaster residents. Following an audit of potential sites, The Dome was chosen as the most suitable site for the construction of a cycle circuit. Additionally (and as part of the cycle circuit project and funding package), given the footprint of the circuit, it is required that additional car parking is provided in the ‘front car parks’ of The Dome to make up for that that will be lost in the ‘back car park’.
DMBC have committed £650,000 to the project, Sport England / British Cycling have yet to finalise the amount of their match funding, although £600,000 has been requested. However DMBC have received a solicitation letter to be fast tracked into the Places to Ride Trailblazer Programme. The amount of match funding from Sport England / British Cycling is expected to be confirmed around the middle of December 2018.
In order to ensure that the circuit is constructed in time to host the start of the UCI World Championships in September 2019, construction must commence mid-January on the ‘front car parks’. To guarantee that this work begins on time, it is proposed that £252,434.37 is drawn down from DMBC’s capital fund ahead of confirmation of match funding from Sport England / British Cycling.
DMBC have received a WPP ‘letter of comfort’ from Sport England / British Cycling detailing that the £252,434.37 will still be considered as match funding against the full project cost.
There is a marginal risk to this approach but all letters and communication with Sport England and British Cycling provide assurance that they will co fund the circuit. However should there be issue with this it is agreed the programme of works will be brought back to Cabinet for further discussion and approvals.
In summary, it is recommended that DMBC commit to commence work on the car parks at The Dome as part of the project and funding package;
- Using £252,434.37 Of DMBC funding
- Which has been accepted as match funding by Sport England / British Cycling
- And assuming the release of match funding from Sport England / British Cycling that allows coverage of the full cost of the circuit