News
Thursday 6 August 2009EnergySolutions Funding Drives Forward Mountain Bike Trail Network
EnergySolutions, who manage the UK’s 10 Magnox reactor sites, on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, has pumped £30k into an organisation who are in the process of developing a network of mountain bike trails around a hub of Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd.
Antur ‘Stiniog’s Chairman, Cerri Cunnington, spoke about their plans to develop the trails: “The whole programme has been estimated at £2.2m, but securing the EnergySolutions funding is vital at this stage to help us through the planning and consultation processes.”
“The trails we have identified will sit perfectly alsongside the classic routes that we already have close by at Coed-y-Brenin, Penmachno or Betws-y-Coed. Our vision is to have something for riders at all levels.”
The project is at a key stage as it enters into the planning approvals and public consultation phase. The team are also looking to identify an experienced downhill trail construction team, through a tendering process.
A team from Magnox North (a company owned by EnergySolutions that operates the nearby Wylfa Power Station and the iconic Trawsfynydd Site – which is currently being decommissioned) have been supporting Antur ‘Stiniog with their communications, stakeholder relations, project management and have been helping identify additional funding for the scheme.
Neil Baldwin, Magnox North’s Managing Director, said: “We are delighted to be supporting such a project and wish the wider programme every success. Clearly, the mountain bike trails are just one aspect of what’s happening in this exciting venture. More than 100,000 people already visit Blaenau Ffestiniog each year (using the famous railway or to visit the slate quarries). Antur ‘Stiniog’s work will be instrumental in developing the town as an outdoor and adventure sports destination.”
He added: “There is a £4.4m regeneration of the town planned and Antur ‘Stiniog have seized the chance to offer skills development and training opportunities to help young local people capitalise on the growing adventure tourism industry in the area.”
