The exodus of facilities in south Bristol, including Whitchurch Athletics Track, is catastrophic

The former Whitchurch Sports Stadium in south Bristol has been earmarked for new homes as part of the council’s 1,435-home Hengrove Park development.

But, as first reported by BristolWorld back in May, a group of residents are campaigning to instead reopen and regenerate the track, which has been used as a cycling centre since 2016.

The campaigners, who have top British sports stars including Daley Thompson, Kriss Akabusi and Jason Gardener among their supporters, are now hoping to obtain enough signatures to force a full council debate on the matter.

“Now over six months into our campaign to stop south Bristol losing a historic sporting asset, we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we have received,” said Whitchurch resident John Pearce, who started the campaign group now known as the Whitchurch Athletics Track Community Health Association.

“From across the city and nation we have had encouragement to persevere by athletic stars of the past and present, plus literally thousands of people who see the exodus of facilities in south Bristol as catastrophic.

“Mental health crisis, surging anti-social behaviour, knife crime, vandalism are on everyone's mind, but yet the answer from the council seems to be, ‘let's build more houses'.

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The council is proposing to relocate the cycling centre to Lawerence Weston, over eight miles away, and has started a consultation into the £15m facility.

But campaigners are critical of the plan. John added: “Able bodied and those with disabilities will then need to travel across to the other side of the city to use the new facility.

“It looks amazing for sure, but what does south Bristol receive in return for losing a popular facility that has helped young and old alike grow more confident in their cycling.

“A replacement facility so that there is parity between north and south? No, just more houses.”

He continued: “We at the Whitchurch Athletics Track Community Health Association (WATCHA) are speaking up for south Bristol to stand against the destruction of facilities that could be used to have a very positive impact locally and across the city.

“We're campaigning passionately to raise enough signatures to get into a full council meeting to explain how a further loss of south Bristol facilities is a poor choice.

“We want to offer something better and we ask the council to change their mind and put their conscience before construction.”

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A Bristol City Council spokesperson told BristolWorld previously: “Due to its age and condition, the council made the decision to close Whitchurch Athletics Track in 2010.

“The Whitchurch site has since become a key part of the council’s city-wide housebuilding initiative, adding vital new homes to Bristol’s strained housing stock.

“We understand the concerns of residents over this decision and have since funded a new track in Whitehall which is accessible to the wider community and plays host to regular clubs and events throughout the year.

“The nearby Hengrove Leisure Centre also offers varied opportunities for residents to get active, and we encourage residents to also use the excellent open space at Whitchurch Airfield for exercise.

“However, we remain committed to promoting sport and activity in our communities, and whilst any campaign to bring Whitchurch Athletics Track back into use as a sports facility is not supported by the council due to its impact on housing delivery, we remain open to discussions with local residents about how we can provide track facilities in south Bristol.”

To view and sign the petition, visit: https://www.change.org/p/do-you-support-the-proposal-to-see-whitchurch-athletics-track-in-bristol-regenerated