News / Whitchurch
‘Absolutely staggering’ support for campaign to reinstate old athletics track
A group of concerned residents have launched a petition to restore a former athletics track to its former glory in order to benefit south Bristol and the wider area “for present and future generations”.
Whitchurch Athletics Track first opened in 1973 and was once the training hub for up-and-coming athletes from across Bristol.
But today the track is not used for athletics, having been the base of Bristol Family Cycling Centre since 2016 which Bristol City Council plans to relocate to Lawrence Weston to make way for housing.
is needed now More than ever
Since its launch by Whitchurch resident John Pearce in May, the petition has garnered more than 1,700 signatures, inching closer to its next goal of 2,500.
Support has flooded in from past and present athletes, coaches, club ambassadors and local run clubs, including Bristol Bears and England rugby player Ellis Genge, who grew up in Knowle West and used to train on the Whitchurch track.
There are calls to reinstate the former athletics track to provide a space for young athletes to train in south Bristol – photo: Emily Brown
Peace wrote: “In 1973, Whitchurch Athletics Track opened, and for many years, countless up-and-coming athletes from south Bristol and the wider area trained and achieved great success through the facilities it offered.”
“Today, it stands empty of athletes, empty of competition, and offering no opportunity to the local athletes of the future.
“We want to change this and not only see the track fully restored but also used to benefit the community and wider area for present and future generations.
“Regenerating Whitchurch Athletics Track will provide a much-needed space for physical activity, fostering talent in young athletes while promoting health and well-being in our community.”
In a message of support, south Bristol-born double-olympian Nick Rose said: “Born in Fortfield, I grew up running around the disused runway.
“When the track was built in 1973, Bristol was put on the athletics map.
“I would run to the track to train and felt that this facility helped to put me on the path to the Olympics. I was fortunate.”
Nicholas Rose, now aged 72, is a British former international track and field athlete – photo: Nick Rose
Pearce said the support for the petition so far has been “absolutely staggering”.
“I always believed that there were those who had the desire to see the track regenerated but after just over three weeks and over 1,600 signatures now on the petition the momentum just keeps building.”
The track is part of the wider Hengrove Park site.
Once completed over the next decade, there will be 1,435 new homes, a public park, and new community and sports facilities on the largest site yet to be developed by council-owned housing company Goram Homes.
Main photo: Bristol Family Cycling Centre
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