A new bike park in Sandwell Valley is delighting cyclists of all abilities. Urban Design and Building Services (UDBS) is pleased to have been instrumental in its delivery.
The Sport and Leisure Team at Sandwell Council appointed us to support the construction of the new Sandwell Urban Bike Park. UDBS’ services included procuring specialist consultants, preparing the tender documentation, procurement management, tender evaluation, preparing the contract documentation, on-site supervision, CDM management, quality control, interim payments to the contractor, and the agreement and payment of final costs.
Back on Track Mountain Bike Solutions Ltd was the main contractor. Sport England funded the majority of the project through the Places to Ride programme, with Birmingham City Council and Sandwell Council providing the rest.
The new bike park is close to the Swan Pool area of Sandwell Valley. It also uses land within the former Hill Top Golf Course, which falls in Birmingham.
The park incorporates facilities for all types of cyclists, including young people and families with children. With challenging downhill trails, it is also getting lots of positive attention from mountain bikers.
Mountain biking channel Bike and Beyond has created this review on YouTube.
Thank you to Ollie from Bike and Beyond for permission to share the screenshots.
Robert Marlow is Senior Lead Officer from Sandwell Council’s Sports and Leisure Team. As our client, he said: “The project was complex, involved external funders and due to the nature of the site required careful planning and delivery.
“The UDBS team provided guidance, advice and specialist support at every stage within the project, often at short notice.
“The Bike Park is now open to the public and has been exceptionally well received by cyclists of all abilities. The facility is enabling Sandwell residents to get active and exercise through the sport of cycling. The facility is attracting cyclists from across the region who are keen to enjoy a high-class resource.
The Bike Park has been part funded by Sport England (via the Places to Ride programme) who are delighted with the outcome. The facility has helped to put Sandwell ‘on the map’ and re-enforced our reputation as a borough that ‘gets things done’”.