Breaking ground on a bigger, bolder Clyde Cycle Park for the West of Scotland

Daily Record

6 hours ago

Clyde Cycle Park has officially broken ground on the second phase of its transformation, marking an exciting leap forward in its journey to become the leading regional cycling centre in the west of Scotland.
The £1.6 million expansion will see the facility grow from a 250m circuit to a full 1km track, which will be six metres wide and built to British/Scottish Cycling specifications.
Once complete, the new circuit will allow Clyde Cycle Park to host regional and national level events, while continuing to serve as a vital community asset promoting active travel, inclusive sport and environmental sustainability.
Speaking at this week's ceremonial sod-cutting event, John Bachtler, chair of Clyde Cycle Park, said: 'This is a huge milestone for Clyde Cycle Park, enabling us to progress from a local cycling circuit, mainly serving people in Cambuslang and Rutherglen, to a regional cycling facility serving the whole of the west of Scotland.'
The project has been made possible through significant support from partners, particularly sportscotland and Scottish Cycling, who have awarded £1 million via the Cycling Facilities Fund (CFF). The £8million CFF was established to build on the growing interest in cycling by developing a network of accessible facilities to encourage people of all ages to ride bikes and enjoy the sport. The fund, administered by sportscotland and Scottish Cycling, has helped to provide accessible community and club facilities that inspire new and existing cyclists to make cycling a sport for life.
Financial backing to allow the project to reach last week's milestone includes a £400,000 commitment from South Lanarkshire's allocation of the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund.
The new larger circuit will be sustainably floodlit, with renewable floodlights powered by solar panels and wind turbines, and this has been made possible thanks to funding of £97,000 from SSE Renewables and £50,000 from local firm Patersons Quarries.
Mr Bachtler added: 'Providing a first-rate cycling circuit will be a huge boost for road-race cycling clubs and the development of the sport. We will also be able to host regional and national events here at the park. We are enormously grateful to sportscotland and South Lanarkshire Council for the funding to realise phase two, and to SSE Renewables and Patersons Quarries to make the floodlighting possible.
'We started on the journey to build Clyde Cycle Park ten years ago, and our progress is a tribute to the hard work and commitment of our management team, our staff and volunteers, our board members and many others in the community and the cycling world.
'But we are not resting on our laurels. We already have plans to extend the circuit further under phase three, to build a cyclocross (CX) circuit and facilities for bike trials as well as for other sports like roller skiing. We look forward to working with our partners on these ambitious plans for the future.'
This week's event was attended by Rutherglen MP Michael Shanks, the town's MSP Clare Haughey MSP and Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson MSP. They were joined by South Lanarkshire councillors Robert Brown, Maureen Devlin, Norman Rae, Margaret Walker and Kirsten Robb, as well as senior officials from sportscotland, Scottish Cycling and South Lanarkshire Council, plus board members of Clyde Cycle Park.
Chief executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: 'I'd like to congratulate everyone involved in the Clyde Cycle Park project on another significant milestone. We know the sector is facing many challenges so to see this level of investment in a new facility is hugely encouraging.
'The Cycling Facilities Fund has succeeded in changing the cycling infrastructure in Scotland and that would not have been achieved without the hard work of local partners like everyone involved in Clyde Cycle Park.'
Nick Rennie, chief executive of Scottish Cycling, added: 'This is a huge moment for cycling in Scotland, as Clyde Cycle Park will form the cornerstone of activity in the West of Scotland. From hosting regular racing and National Championships, to being the perfect hub for coaching and club activity, as well as providing a safe, closed-road circuit for people new to the sport, it really will be a transformational facility.
'I'd like to place on record my thanks and congratulations to everyone involved who has helped bring phase two of this project to life, and can't wait to return and see it buzzing with cyclists next year.'
South Lanarkshire Council's chair of Community and Enterprise Resources, Robert Brown, said: 'The passion and interest in cycling has grown rapidly in recent years so I am delighted that the council has been able to assist financially to ensure the cycle park can expand in such an exciting way.
'The Clyde Cycle Park programme is contributing to the council's Sustainable Development and Climate Change Strategy, providing community-led projects encouraging local changes in attitude and behaviour towards cycling, building confidence, improving health, promoting physical activity and sustainable transport.
'With this major expansion of these facilities, it will not only become a focus for cycling at a regional and national level, drawing athletes from all levels to take part using first class facilities, but will also be a significant community asset, not least for young people.'
Clyde Cycle Park isn't just about sport – it's about people. In 2024 alone, over 3000 individuals from across Cambuslang, Rutherglen and beyond took part in cycling courses and community activities at the facility. An impressive 59 per cent of park users were female, and activities reached a wide demographic including disabled groups, care home residents, primary and secondary school pupils, elderly groups and ethnically-diverse communities across South Lanarkshire and Glasgow.
Local MP and UK Government Minister, Michael Shanks, said: 'It's a real pleasure to be back at Clyde Cycle Park to celebrate the groundbreaking of phase two of this fantastic project.
'Since its opening, the park has become a real asset to the local community, offering people of all ages the opportunity to develop new skills, enjoy the outdoors and build confidence through cycling. I'm particularly impressed by the work the team has done to make the park accessible and inclusive from the start, enabling people of all ages and abilities to get cycling, sometimes for the very first time.
'It's great to see sustainability built into the plans for phase two, with renewable energy powering the new floodlights. This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also sets a positive example for future community projects.
'Having been involved in previous fundraising efforts for the park, I know just how much hard work has gone into reaching this point, and it's clear that the next phase will build on that success even further.'
Local MSP Clare Haughey said: 'Such a pleasure to join the Clyde Cycle Park groundbreaking ceremony for phase two of their project.
"Many congratulations to all the staff and volunteers who run the many activities there already making cycling accessible for all. And a special thanks to everyone who has brought this fantastic site into being. A real asset for everyone in Cambuslang and beyond.'
Carol Thompson, secretary of Clyde Cycle Park said: 'I first got involved with the park in early 2023 employed as project coordinator and have seen the park grow each year, We've enabled people to cycle who hadn't been able to before – and they love it so much they keep coming back. It's not just about bikes – it's gardening, skating, art, volunteering, and belonging.'
With summer programmes for children and families already in full swing – and recent successes like the Bikes Without Borders initiative – Phase 2 will build on this momentum. By tripling the park's capacity, Clyde Cycle Park will offer parallel coaching sessions, host major events and serve as a testbed for green technology including solar-powered lighting and e-bike charging stations.
Lindsay Dougan, community investment manager at SSE Renewables, said: 'Our joint venture Clyde Wind Farm (Scotland) Ltd is looking forward to work in partnership with Clyde Cycle Park. The Park is implementing an innovative low carbon lighting solution which will not only extend the safe use of the Park but will also be a model which can be replicated by communities across Scotland.'
Key features of Phase Two:
■ 1km of new closed circuit, 6m wide, built to British/Scottish Cycling standards
■ Constructed on a remediated brownfield site – contributing to local regeneration
■ Solar and wind-powered lighting planned – pioneering sustainable infrastructure
■ Community hub with multisport use: cycling, skating, gardening, running, and more
■ Targeting inclusive access – regardless of age, ability, income or background
Key statistics from 2024-25
■ 59 per cent female participation
■ Participants of all ages – toddlers to care home residents
■ Adaptive bikes for ASN school bases and disability groups
■ Diverse community served – including Scottish/British, African, Asian, and European heritages
■ Strong community focus in Cambuslang / Rutherglen but reach extends across Glasgow and the west to Lanark, Bishopbriggs, Clydebank and Paisley
■ 3000+ attendees at events, courses and programmes over the past two years