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A brand new ‘pump track’ has finally opened at Van Road Trails bike park, near Caerphilly.

The all-weather track, which will be open year-round and is suitable for riders of all abilities, has been backed by £10,000 of funding from Gwent’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

Van Road Trails is Wales’s largest free-to-use community dirt jump bike site. It is based at Coed Parc y Van, near Caerphilly Business Park and is looked after by volunteers, who also run a weekly club night.

The site was officially opened in 2012, although an unofficial course existed at the site previously.

The volunteers originally received the funding back in 2018, but poor weather conditions and then the Covid pandemic caused major delays.

James Davies, one of the volunteers behind the project, said: “We have a fantastic community here where riders of all ages and abilities can come together to ride and support each other.

“We would love to see anyone interested in getting involved in the sport at our Wednesday evening club nights where they can speak to other riders and see what it’s all about.”

He added: “We are grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office for the funding contribution, which has made this possible.”

Mountain biker Rhys Jones said: “The new track is great and everyone can ride it. You can’t really ride the other tracks in winter or if the weather is bad because they can get damaged – but this gives us somewhere to ride all year.”

The project was given money from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s community fund, which is used to fund projects supporting children and young people who may be at risk of becoming involved with crime and antisocial behaviour.

Police and Crime Commissioner Jeff Cuthbert said: “We often receive complaints about young people riding bikes in town centres or other areas where they could cause a hazard to pedestrians, or a risk to farming and wildlife.

“The Van Road Trails are free to use and give riders somewhere they can go and ride safely. I am sure that the new track will be well used by the community and hope it will help to inspire young people to get out into the countryside and have fun.”

Visit the Gwent PCC website for more information about funding opportunities.