Campaign to build the Castle Park bike park in Dorchester

Campaigners have an ambitious plan to take the simple dirt track at Castle Park in Dorchester and significantly expand upon it.

Currently, the project is in a consultation stage having already received unanimous support from Dorchester Town Council - who own the land - at a meeting last year.

The campaign is headed by Jonathan Halsall, a keen mountain biker who enjoys cycling trails with his daughter. He said: "This is a project for young people, kids and families who love cycling, in particular mountain biking or BMX, to build a modern entry-level to intermediate mountain bike and BMX park in Dorchester."

Currently, campaigners are mulling over three plans, each more ambitious, and will begin fundraising once a decision is made.

Plan C is to build an additional dirt track, the original track would be refit for beginners, ages four to eight, and a new one would be built for intermediate riders. Plan B also includes a tarmac trail, and the most ambitious Plan A has everything but also extra land to build an advanced skills area.

A tough preliminary design for the main trail (Image: Jonathan Halsall)

A rough design for the beginner trail (Image: Jonathan Halsall)

Mr Halsall added: "The progressive nature of a well-built pump track will not only help to introduce children to these sports but will also provide a place where they can develop their bike riding skills, test their limits and build their confidence.

"We have had unanimous support from Dorchester Town Council for this project and are in the community engagement and fundraising phase of the project so would love to hear from anyone who is interested.

"The top end of the quotes we have so far for the agreed plan is £110,000. This would be for just a dirt main trail and dirt beginners trail with an all-weather surface laid on top.

"If the council agree that we can go for a dirt trail for the mountain bikers and the tarmac pump track I would say a good estimate for this would be around £200,000 plus."

This would be reached using a combination of council funds, and other grants in combination with fundraising.

Mr Halsall also plans to set up a club to supplement the track and to give the cyclist community in Dorset structure.

A spokesperson for Dorchester Town Council said: "The council received a presentation last year for the local people backing the pump and bike track and members are very supportive of it.

"It would be built on council land and we will be liaising with the campaigners for the design."

Currently, a change.org petition has more than 700 signatures, with a goal of 1,500.

Mr Hall sall added: "To access funding to move the project forward we need to evidence this support and taking a few moments to sign this petition and add a comment will be a a massive help for our evidence."

If you would like to support the park you can visit: change.org/p/support-the-dorchester-bike-park-community-project