Summerhill Cycle Track

Following funding from British Cycling in 2021, Hartlepool Borough Council wanted to develop a cycling hub to provide accessible, traffic-free cycling facilities and community cycling opportunities.

Rainton Construction delivered capital works to Summerhill Country Park. MGL Earthworks undertook enabling works. Our in-house team undertook to surface, and Tynedale Roadstone provided the material.

Scope of works

• A 750-metre “free-form” asphalt-fenced and floodlit cycle track.
• Balance bike and learn-to-ride area
• Spectator fencing, “warm up/cool down” area and improved corner banking
• 2 Secure cycle storage containers

The specification for the 6m wide surface required it to be free draining with no longitudinal joints for the full length. The pavement construction was for 150mm of Type 3 (no fines) sub-base with 50mm of 5-20mm clean stone. We then laid a 20mm binder, 30mm of Plastipave® Porous, and a 10mm surface course. The 6m wide track could not have any longitudinal joints in the surface due to British Cycling’s requirements.

The asphalt used in this project diverted the equivalent of 28,112 plastic milk cartons from landfill and saved 15.01 tonnes of carbon.100% of the excavated material was retained on-site, further reducing the project’s carbon footprint, It was used to form a 3m elevation change and an ‘Alpine Pass’ style link, improving the course’s challenge.

The gently sloping terrain, which incorporates varying elevations and degrees of cornering difficulty, is suitable and safe for riders of all ages and abilities. There is also a dedicated grassed area beside the Visitors Centre for younger people keen to learn new skills. By collaborating with stakeholders, the team suggested adding realistic road features like roundabouts, junctions, and zebra crossings. Sport England liked this unique approach and granted additional funding for the traffic-free training facility.

A focus on health, safety and wellbeing underscored a successful and responsible project delivery, with no incidents reported in 830 working hours.

Embracing the principles of the circular economy, our sustainable infrastructure has enhanced the delivery of Summerhill Cycle Track, creating a safe, traffic-free, multi-discipline cycling hub for diverse groups, which fosters wellbeing.