Reprieve for Herne Hill Velodrome

British Cycling today announced that the famous Herne Hill velodrome will reopen on the 5th of August, having being awarded an interim licence for three years. The future of the track was uncertain after riders were prevented from using it earlier this year when the Dulwich Estate, a large local landowner, refused to renew Southwark Council's lease. It said that it was in talks with an unnamed commercial developer, and that cycling at the site would resume "if possible."

Following a huge public meeting on May 5th, the developer indicated that it would be prepared to grant a licence to allow cycling to resume while it worked up a commercial leisure scheme.

British Cycling have said that the track can be re-opened immediately for cycling. In a press release, it says that it "will be working with local clubs to establish, in the longer term, a thriving community club at the heart of Herne Hill as well as ensuring that the Olympic Talent Team squads, from which the UK's 2012 podium athletes are beginning to emerge, can get essential access to the track for training and events."

BC says that it will be working on a solution to regenerate cycling facilities on the site. "This will play a key role both in the development of the athletes for the 2012 London Olympics as well as increasing participation in cycling at a local and regional level."

The Dulwich Estate says that it will be working on a scheme which will see the development of the facilities required by cyclists. It is also planning a leisure/sports complex to complement cycling on the site.