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Bramford BMX track near Ipswich opens after teens' campaign

Wayne Bavin/BBC A group picture of people standing with bicycles at the trackWayne Bavin/BBC
The youngsters used criticism levelled against them on social media as inspiration to campaign for a new track

A group of teenagers is celebrating the opening of a new BMX bike track after they spent months campaigning for one.

Complaints had been made about the youngsters churning up Bramford Playing Fields near Ipswich with their bikes.

In response, they canvassed villagers by asking them to sign a petition calling for a purpose-built circuit.

Parish council chairman Lester Powell said he was "blown away" by the group's enthusiasm.

The new and improved track, which replaced the earth mounds being used as a makeshift route, opened on Sunday.

It followed Bramford Parish Council approving £90,000 funding for the project in November.

Wayne Bavin/BBC Youngsters on bikes ride on the trackWayne Bavin/BBC
The closest bike track for local teenagers had been 13 miles away on the other side of Ipswich, near Bucklesham

Chris Bickers, whose son Zack was among those who campaigned for the facility, heaped praise on the group.

"I've lived here all my life and we've never had anything like this before, so to have this now for all the community is brilliant," he said.

The youngsters' petition calling for a new track gained more than 300 signatures from residents. It was then presented to the council in October.

Visitors were handed safety helmets and goodie bags free of charge during its grand opening at the weekend.

Isaac Chenery/BBC Local children and parentsIsaac Chenery/BBC
The group of friends canvassed in Bramford to obtain signatures for their petition

Mr Powell said: "It's going to be a great asset to the village for the next coming years.

"The pump track is for the young, the old and those in between."

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