WORK has begun on a pump track in North Berwick, which will create a safe space for BMX riders, scooters, skateboards, and even adapted wheelchairs.
The track is set to form part of a new dog-free community park in the area, called Royal Burgh Park.
The project’s proximity to two schools in the area means that it is ideally situated for children to use before and after school.
The East Lothian Council collaborated on the project with the North Berwick Community Pump Track Group, and it also received funding from Sportscotland.
A pump track is a specialised path for wheeling, which combines rolling jumps with turns so that riders can use momentum to “pump” around the track, rather than pedalling or pushing.
The East Lothian Council previously installed the Ormiston Pump Track in Meadowbank in 2021, which it says has become a key feature of the community and is often used for events and meet-ups.
Work has begun on a new pump track on land owned by the North Berwick Trust, next to Haddington Road.
The neighbourhood facility will form part of a new dog-free community park which will also include a wildflower meadow and picnic benches.
The track, which is designed to benefit everyone from beginners to seasoned riders, will be 120 metres in length and will use rolling features of various heights.
The layout will encourage users to figure out creative routes, but also offers a clear loop with a start and finish.
The council states that the site was chosen to encourage people to walk, cycle, scoot, or skate around the city, rather than to travel by car.
Councillor Colin McGinn, spokesperson for community wellbeing and sport, countryside and leisure, said: “I’m delighted this project is coming to fruition after years of planning.
“The creation of a pump track in North Berwick has received overwhelming local support, and I know there are so many people who can’t wait to try it out for the first time.
“We are grateful to the North Berwick Trust for identifying land and working in partnership to devise a vibrant community space that will encourage physical activity, social interaction, and skill-building in a safe environment.
“Along with promoting participating in cycling and other wheeled sports, the track will foster sustainable travel habits from an early age.”
A spokesperson for the North Berwick Pump Track Group said: “Pump tracks promote a healthy outdoor lifestyle and become hives of positive community activity, encouraging all generations to come together to stay fit and active.”
