BIKERS, skaters, their parents, friends and several councillors – including the Craven District Council chairman – gathered on Sunday for the long-awaited opening of Ingleton Pump Track.
Ward councillor, Carl Lis, told the assembled crowd how the idea for the track was started several years ago by children keen for somewhere to practise their skills.
Those children are now grown up, with children of their own, but the track has finally happened, he added.
Cllr Lis thanked North Yorkshire county councillor David Ireton for his help in securing the land, formerly part of the old middle school playing fields, and for Ingleton Parish Council in seeing the project to its successful conclusion.
Craven's first citizen, Cllr Chris Moorby, carried out the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon before joining bikers on a circuit of the track.
A time trial event was then held, with all proceeds going from the entry fee to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Bikers – aged between three and 18 years old – took part, with first prize of a bike helmet going to 13-year-old Toby Campbell.
The track was built by Clark and Kent, whose other projects include the London 2012 Olympic BMX track.
It has also been supported by Craven District Council as part of its Open Space Strategy.
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