We don't want more homes in our part of Bristol, we want the council to fix the athletics track instead

Thousands of petitioners are demanding that Bristol City Council regenerates an old athletics track in South Bristol instead of building homes there. The Whitchurch Athletics Track is destined to become flats, but next week councillors will debate whether the track could be kept.

More than 6,500 have signed a petition calling for the running track to be saved, with almost 4,000 of those living in Bristol. Because so many people have signed, the petitioners have forced a council debate which will be held on Tuesday, July 8.

This could be a turning point in the campaign to save the athletics track from development. Campaigners and councillors have a chance to give their view on the issue and put public pressure on the administration to revisit the proposals to build housing on the site. Several people who signed the petition left comments, giving their reasons for their support.

Sarah said: “Sport is for all ages, it keeps young people off the streets and out of gangs. It keeps the elderly fit and right across the board friendships are made.”

Lucy added: “I started my athletics career here. It is a vital resource that is crucial for the youth of Bristol. Athletics is a sport that opens the door for so many young athletes.”

The site is used by the Bristol Family Cycling Centre to teach people how to ride a bicycle, as well as the Southville Running Club during the summer. The council plans to open a new cycling centre in Lawrence Weston 10 miles away, although this will be too far for many to travel. This will cost £15 million, but council staff admitted people in South Bristol will struggle to get there.

The track was first opened in 1973, and then officially closed in 2010, although it has been used informally for some time. Goram Homes, the council-owned developer, is planning to build on the site. Green Councillor Tony Dyer, leader of the council, previously said changing the housing plans would cost too much money. Although the debate next week could encourage a rethink.

The neighbourhoods around the track have some of the highest levels of obesity across Bristol. Closing a sports facility contrasts with the council’s stated ambition to increase the amount of physical activity people do, in an effort to reduce obesity levels and improve public health.

The only other running tracks in or around Bristol are in Filton, Yate and Whitehall. The Whitehall track was intended to replace the Whitchurch one, although this is located six miles away in a more affluent part of east Bristol.