A new closed-road cycle circuit in Cardiff could provide a lasting legacy from the Tour de France coming to the Welsh capital.
Stage 3 of the event will finish outside Cardiff Castle in July 2027, and a 1.5km traffic-free, national-standard cycle circuit has been proposed to build on the excitement of the world-famous race and encourage more people to get active.
There are currently no urban closed road circuits in South Wales and demand modelling carried out as part of an Outline Business Case indicates strong potential usage.
The proposal is supported as a shared priority by the national governing bodies for cycling, triathlon, athletics and community sport with Cardiff Council-owned land in Leckwith, close to existing sport and education facilities, identified as a potential location.
Delivery of the facility is estimated to cost around £4 million. This capital funding would not be provided by Cardiff Council. The new facility is subject to external capital funding being secured through the Tour de France legacy programme, planning permission and approval of a future Full Business Case by Cardiff Council.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said:
The Tour de France coming to Cardiff will be a historic moment for the city, but we want its impact to last far beyond the race itself.
This proposed circuit would be nationally significant community cycling and endurance sports hub, helping turn the enthusiasm and inspiration the event creates into opportunities for local people. Beyond competitive cycling, it could provide a safe and welcoming place for children to learn to ride, for schools and community groups to be active, and for runners and triathletes to train and compete.
The ambition is to create a true community legacy from one of the world’s greatest sporting events and help even more people discover the benefits and enjoyment of being active.
A report due to be discussed at a Cardiff Council Cabinet meeting on 15 October, Cabinet recommends the approval of an Outline Business Case to allow further work on the project to progress.
According to the report, the preferred way forward would be for the new facility to be operated by a third party, working alongside the Council and national governing bodies. The focus would be on delivering a financially sustainable operating model, maximising external grant funding, securing appropriate private sector investment, protecting affordable community access, delivering a vibrant year-round programme of activity, supporting regional and national sporting events, enablingcontinuous reinvestment in the facility and protecting the long-term sporting and community purpose of the project.
The circuit forms part of a UK-wide National Facilities Strategy developed by Beicio Cymru, British and Scottish Cycling, which sets out an investment-ready framework to unlock funding for high-quality cycling facilities. Cardiff Council, along with cities and other organisations involved in the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have committed their collaborative support to deliver the legacy outcomes identified in the strategy.
Subject to Cabinet approval, Cardiff Council’s role would be to:
provide land to support the project, subject to planning approval, funding and a future Full Business Case.
support the administration and governance of securing capital funding.
provide administrative support and governance to secure planning and procurement for the delivery and operation of the new facility.
oversee the delivery of the project and work with partners to bring forward the next stage of development
A copy of the report being discussed by Cabinet on 15 October is available here: https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=9121&LLL=0
A webcast of the Cabinet meeting on 15 October will be available here: https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=151&MId=9175&LLL=0
Prior to the Cabinet meeting, the report will be scrutinised by the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee when it meets on 13 October. A recording of that meeting will be available to view here: https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=142&MId=9121&LLL=0
