Portsmouth Council to open free BMX track over Easter

A free BMX track is to open in Portsmouth for the Easter holidays. The track, opposite the Blue Lagoon in Hilsea, will be open 11am–4pm every day from Friday 25 March to Thursday 7 April. Set up by Portsmouth City Council, it will be suitable for all ages and abilities. Free bikes will be available for beginners, and instructors and safety kit will be provided. The track is a temporary one, designed as a trial for a proposed permanent track on the site. There will be a range of portable ramps that can be moved around to keep the track exciting and challenging. Ramp types will include flat bank, driveway, quarter pipes, roll in and fly off. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Donna Jones, said: “This is a great free facility for people to use over the Easter break. I’m really pleased we’ve been able to provide it. “It will also be a useful trial for the idea of a permanent track. We’re committed to developing facilities across Portsmouth, which is why we’re looking at the potential for a BMX track in the north of the city. In a survey we did earlier this year, 78% of people said they or a member of their family would use a track, and 91% said it would be good for the area.” A scheme for a permanent track would need planning permission.