New pump track opens in Bampton

Bampton rolls out the fun with new pump track at Millennium Green

After two years in the making, Bampton’s pump track is finally here! Ready to ride?

by · DevonLive

Bampton's wheels are spinning with excitement as the town celebrates the grand opening of its new pump track.

Former town clerk Penny Clapham cut the ribbon for the new track at Millenium Green on September 21. Bampton dad Adam Paget spearheaded the project. The event, attended by cycling fans of all ages, marked the culmination of over two years of planning and hard work.

The track is a state-of-the-art facility designed by Will Dutch, an architect specialising in pump tracks and similar recreational spaces. Former BMX world champion Kye Forte also contributed to the planning stages, helping to ensure the design was both innovative and functional.

Adam said: "It's taken around two and a half years. I remember first proposing the idea of a pump track, and the first barrier was trying to make sure that the council knew what I wanted to get. It's quite a strange concept, but now when you see it as it is, it makes sense you can see it in the flesh."

The funding for the track was a combined effort, with approximately half of the £46,000 coming from Section 106 funds, allocated by Mid Devon District Council. The other half was sourced through Bampton Town Council's savings.

For Adam, the project was about more than just building a track—it was about giving the town's youth a place to ride and develop a love for cycling. "The way I see it is if you get kids riding bikes, they can't afford money for anything else, so kids on bikes is always a good thing," he said.

The event drew a significant crowd, with many praising the new space and its potential impact on the community.

Former Bampton town clerk Penny Clapham played an instrumental role in securing funding and said: "I think it's fantastic. I love to see all these young people and older people cycling. It's a wonderful thing to have here in Bampton".

Simon Fouracres, chair of Bampton Town Council, echoed the sentiment: "We're all delighted that the dads put in so much effort in getting the idea of this pump track up and running, and it's going to be great for the kids in the area. It will bring people down to the Millennium Green, which also has other benefits."

The opening festivities included bike demonstrations, a "Doctor Bike" station for repairs, and organisations, like the Bampton PTFA, raising funds for future projects. The PTFA used the occasion to sell hot dogs, with the proceeds going towards a ground source heat pump for the school's swimming pool.

"Every hot dog you buy will help stop a drowning child," Adam joked.

The pump track's development has transformed what was once a simple "fag packet plan" into a multi-functional recreational space, complete with climbing towers and sheltered seating.

Adam thanked those involved, particularly acknowledging the vital contributions of Shimano, Madison, Ridgeback, and Saracen. He also paid tribute to the council for allowing the project to be built on their land, saying: "This is Bampton Council, and they've let us build this on their land. So massive thanks to the council".

New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton
New pump track opens in Bampton