RESIDENTS and community groups are being invited to help shape features of a pump track to be built in Clackmannan later this year.

It comes as contractors On Track are set to build the undulating circuit at King George V Park on behalf of Clackmannanshire Council this spring and summer.

The £139,000 project will aim to provide a high-quality recreational space for young people and is entering a crucial phase of online and in person consultation with the community.

Running for six weeks, the consultation will seek to engage residents and community groups in shaping the features and difficulty levels of the track.

Cllr Scott Harrison – spokesperson for for sports, leisure and active living – said: “By actively involving residents in the decision-making process, the council aims to create a vibrant recreational space that meets the diverse needs of Clackmannan's young people.

“With community input at its core, the new pump track promises to be a fantastic addition, not just to the Clackmannan community but to Clackmannanshire as a whole.”

A dedicated website has been launched at ontrack.cc/clackmannan while clackmannanpumptrack will also be on Instagram to showcase examples of pump tracks and act as a platform for feedback.

Residents are being encouraged to explore these examples and share their preferences to help inform the design process.

In addition to the online platform, two in-person consultation events will be held in the coming weeks with times to be confirmed.

These will offer opportunities for face-to-face engagement, allowing residents to voice their opinions and suggestions directly to the project team.

The project is being funded through the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Fund, along with sportscotland who have provided a grant of £50,000.

Forbes Dunlop, sportscotland chief executive, said: “The investment provided by the Scottish Government and the National Lottery to deliver the Cycling Facilities Fund has allowed us to harness the interest in cycling generated by the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and deliver a lasting benefit for the nation and the sport.

“By working with Scottish Cycling to shape the fund, we have been able to increase the opportunities for people to get involved in cycling right across the country.

“It’s hugely encouraging to see the number of organisations like Clackmannanshire Council who have grasped this opportunity to improve the lives of their local communities by investing in cycling facilities."

The investment from sportscotland comes from the £8million Cycling Facilities Fund, which aims to build on the growing interest in cycling by developing a network of facilities across the country and deliver a tangible benefit from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships held in Glasgow and across Scotland.

It has been made possible through a £4million commitment from Scottish Government and £4million from sportscotland through National Lottery funds.