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BMX TRACK for Pinhoe

UPDATE: costs are likely to have increased since these first estimates. Which design do YOU prefer?

In August 2019, local families approached Pinhoe Forum to find out what was happening with the bike bump area in Station Road Playing Fields. It was overgrown and unsafe, but still used by families who were keen to renovate it.

Exeter City Council were concerned to ensure safety and the bike bumps were fenced off and levelled as part of the pitch renovations. The park is having drainage installed to remedy the boggy area – it’s a substantial investment using money from local housing development.

The Forum found out that £45k has been allocated to develop a bike track and Exeter City Council Parks Dept mentioned that we have an award-winning track designer who not only lives in Pinhoe, but Tim Ruck designed one of their most successful facilities in the city: an opportunity not to be missed! The £45k will become available from S106 money which will be released when houses on the Taylor Wimpey development are ready for occupation.

In September 2019, Tim took a look at the site. Fencing for the football pitch drainage usefully showed the size / space available at the end of the field. Because it would be overlooked and have several safe exits, it looks to have real potential. We discussed options to pursue further grant funding to enable an integrated, holistic approach to the site, which would secure access and amenity for the whole community as well as ensuring any bike facility was ambitious, accessible for a range of ages and abilities, and had a sustainable future.

Wider community consultation is the next step and we want to hear from young people who would use this facility, to ensure we bring a vision for the whole community – dog walkers use this part of the field too and could play their part in the safety of the site!

Meanwhile, Tim has suggested a range of designs with rough ideas for budgets so we can gauge the opportunity to apply for funding. We are looking forward to the feedback.

Small basic tarmac track, approx £20-25K
Larger track, compacted aggregate with tarmac turns, approx £35-50K
Hybrid layout, pump track features combined with skatepark obstacles (grind rail, grind block, manny pad and wall-ride) in tarmac, approx £45K +

To join the new People’s Panel please email: mail@portfoliofive.co.uk

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Pinhoe Library’s new wildflower garden

The brilliant Jess Liebig has been busy organising a wildflower garden, with Lee from Libraries Unlimited, our community builder Ebbie and a fantastic bunch of volunteers from Wild Pinhoe. There’s space for scouts and guides to do some planting now the borders have been dug out and you’ll never spot the hedgehog box from Robin Hoad because it’s been so well camouflaged! Look out for plants being grown on by The Little House which are destined to flourish here #LovePinhoe

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THE NEW BATTLE OF PINHOE

With magnificent views across the estuary and out to sea, fields at the top of Pinhoe have always been a valuable vantage point.

In 1001, a priest from Monkerton famously came to the rescue of local defences against the Saxons, bringing fresh withies for their arrows on the back of his donkey. He saved the day and became immortalised on local school badges.

When the Spanish armada was threatening our coastline, Beacon Field was part of the vital network of Armada beacons alerting local sea defences.

Now we have a very 21st century battle to save these historic fields. Reaching across from Cheynegate to Park Lane, these green lungs of Pinhoe are facing further development which runs riot with our sense of history, restricts local access to open spaces, decimates our green lanes and will dominate the skyline itself.

There is new science and new evidence to show how important these spaces are to all our wellbeing. A hyper-local approach to neighbourhoods is finally being recognised as a vital direction for future planning, where local distinctiveness and character are valuable assets which benefit from community engagement and ownership.

The tide is beginning to turn.

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SIGN THE PETITION!

Beautiful Higher Field at the top of the village is not only a hub for local wildlife and biodiversity, it is an important connection point as a wildlife corridor. The Pinhoe Ridgeline connects us to the woodland skyline which is one of Exeter’s most beautiful features. Please sign our petition for NEW THINKING and formal protection. The petition is open to ANYONE IN EXETER who cares about trees, wildlife, Exeter’s skyline and our sense of connection to the natural environment.

http://committees.exeter.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=46

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TRAFFIC MONITORING

Do you have an hour a week to monitor traffic outside your house? Maybe you know of a traffic crunch point you’d like to nominate for monitoring?

We’re looking for volunteers to count motor vehicles, site traffic and cyclists. We’ll provide count sheets and clickers! Get in touch to join the citizen science team!

Contact Kate: mail@portfoliofive.co.uk