New Herne Hill velodrome facilities get the go ahead
New pavilion could be ready next year at the historic Herne Hill velodrome after planning permission is granted

New facilities at the Herne Hill velodrome received the green light last night as planning permission was granted unanimously for the building of a pavilion at the historic south London venue.
The new building will feature changing rooms, offices and a multi-sports room and will sit alongside the home straight of the 450m track, which hosted cycling events at the 1948 Olympic Games.
>>> Alberto Contador rides the Herne Hill Velodrome
Hillary Peachey, chair of the Herne Hill Velodrome Trust, explained that she hoped work would commence on the £1.8m project by the end of this year and that the ribbon would be cut on the new buildings in time for the 125th anniversary celebrations at the track next summer.
“The funding is all in place from Sport England, the London Marathon Trust, Southwark Council and we’re just waiting on a final grant application from the Mayor’s Fund,” she told Cycling Weekly.
“We’ll definitely be doing some crowd-funding for the extra landscaping we want to do.
“The Friends of Herne Hill Velodrome membership has increased, and getting people signed up to that is really important to help make sure the velodrome remains sustainable for the next 125 years.”
Herne Hill was where a young Sir Bradley Wiggins cut his teeth on the bike, and the growing popularity of cycling has seen visits to the velodrome almost treble in the past three years, from 13,000 per year in 2012 to 34,000 over the last 12 months.
The latest phase of development was completed in 2013 and saw a hard surface sports facility and junior track constructed in the centre of the banked track, with trackside lighting added around the perimeter of the velodrome. Minimising disruption to existing events and sessions will be a condition for the contractors on the next phase of building this winter.
“It’s just an incredible increase, which is including schools, toddlers, drop in sessions, outreach programmes, the ‘silver group’ of over 40s,” Peachey added.
“It’s also shown the community that this is a resource for them too, and we want them to be part of this site.”
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Richard Abraham is an award-winning writer, based in New Zealand. He has reported from major sporting events including the Tour de France and Olympic Games, and is also a part-time travel guide who has delivered luxury cycle tours and events across Europe. In 2019 he was awarded Writer of the Year at the PPA Awards.
-
-
Dr Hutch: WLTM someone to join him on long rides
Doctor Hutch leaves sightseeing for others and dedicates his long rides to the pursuit of solitary suffering. But now he’s looking for ride-mates - A GSOH is a must
By Michael Hutchinson • Published
-
Carolin Schiff makes huge solo effort to take victory at women's Unbound Gravel 200
German off-road pro takes a massive solo victory at gravel's premiere event, Unbound
By Henry Lord • Last updated
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins might not be a TV pundit for much longer: 'I just want a normal job really'
Tour de France champion says that he doesn't still want to be on Eurosport in 10 years, and he thought about being a social worker
By Adam Becket • Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Bradley Wiggins: Abuse contributed to making me a great cyclist
The Tour de France winner is part of a new NSPCC campaign to help people spot the signs of child abuse
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Is Bradley Wiggins Rubbish on ITV's The Masked Singer? We investigate
The wheely bin character was tipped to be the Olympian by one of the judges on the Saturday night TV show
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins backs NSPCC campaign for safer sports environments for children
Former Tour de France champion has spoken about abuse he received from a coach before
By Adam Becket • Published
-
British Cycling offers Bradley Wiggins 'full support' after allegations of sexual grooming
The governing body has contacted Wiggins after he alleged he was sexually groomed as a 13-year-old
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins alleges that he was sexually groomed by a coach as a 13-year-old
Former Tour de France winner says that it "impacted" him as an adult after he "buried" it
By Adam Becket • Last updated