Cardiff council has approved the development of a business case to secure funding for a new £4m cycle track in Leckwith, with the facility potentially operational by early 2028.
The 1.5km circuit is planned as part of the legacy of the Tour de France, which will see Cardiff host the finish of stage three of the men's race in 2027, with cyclists racing from Welshpool in Powys to Cardiff Castle.
Funding and operation plans
The council is not planning to pay for the track itself. Instead, the new facility is planned to be funded through external capital secured via the Tour de France legacy programme.
It is also planned that the circuit will be operated by a third party working alongside the council and national bodies.
Delivery timeline
A report presented at the meeting reads: “The programme of delivery is estimated to be 35 weeks, meaning subject to funding, planning and securing suitable operating terms, the facility could be operational by early 2028.”
The council’s leader, Chris Weaver, called the development a “very exciting project”.
Council reactions
The city’s member for culture and leisure, Cllr Jen Burke, said: “Cardiff has a legacy to be realised from hosting the Tour de France.”
Cllr John Lancaster, the Conservative group leader, said it would be “good to have some sort of long-standing legacy from the Tour de France”. But he did add: “If it is such a good idea why hasn’t this particular circuit been done before?”
He was told by Cllr Burke that plans for the city are constantly changing due to the way it is developing.
The Leckwith site is being considered due to being close to existing sports and educational facilities. If the project comes to fruition it would be the first urban closed circuit in south Wales.
