PLANS for Herefordshire's first closed road cycle circuit have been finalised and are due to be submitted imminently.

The 1.5 kilometre traffic free cycle circuit is planned to be positioned on the Hereford Racecourse between the existing sports facilities on the site.

It would be floodlit and cost around £600,000.

The proposed cycle circuit would affect the longstanding golf course which has been positioned in the racecourse for over 30 years.

Hereford Mayor Jim Kenyon has chaired a number of public meetings to discuss proposals and worked with consultant Owen Davies to draw up the final plan.

He said: "On the back end of the Olympics and Paralympics we need to get this cycle track built.

"We have worked with all the bodies to make it happen and the course doesn't affect any other facility too much. "We have worked through about 20 different designs to find one that is workable for everybody.

"There would be a new position to put the first tee and a new putting area on the golf course which hasn't changed for 30 years, so this is an opportunity to enhance it and improve the greens.

"The money made from the cycle circuit could help improve the facilities for the other sports on the site. This is the only place in Hereford we could make this cycle circuit happen after years of listening and consultation.

"The money for the circuit will not come from the council but outside organisations from grant funding."

The cycle circuit is proposed to be six metres wide on each side and will include smaller loops to allow school children to be coached safely.

Funding is planned to come from external grants and the facility will be managed by Halo Leisure on completion.

Cllr Kenyon says that it won't just be cyclists who would profit from the facility but the armed forces are also interested in using it.

"We need this facility as cycling is getting quite big so it's an exciting time to be involved," added Cllr Kenyon.

"It could also be used for running, handcycling, for teaching GCSE students, after school coaching sessions and for rehabilitation in the armed forces.

"It would also encourage the older generation to get back on their bikes."

It is also hoped that the circuit would be used for competitive racing and that more children would also be able to try the sport in a traffic free environment.

A survey about the new cycle circuit completed by 485 people showed that 92 per cent of respondents supported the new circuit with 77 per cent stating that it would increase their level of cycling.

The survey can be completed at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/G9N7KCQ.