'We want something better for the community!' Staffordshire residents push for pump track at popular park
Residents have come together to campaign for a pump cycle track to be built at a Staffordshire park.
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Rachel Stackhouse and Zara Thompson are spearheading the campaign to get the track built at Chasewater Country Park in Burntwood.
Inspired by her bike-loving nine-year-old son, Jamie, Rachel started campaigning two years ago for the pump track, designed for people to use bikes, roller skates or skateboards without pedalling.
The 42-year-old believes if it is built, it will encourage families in the area to be more active.
Rachel told the Express & Star: "There's [a pump track] in Cannock and Whittington but we never get anything in Burntwood - we lack facilities.
"It would be a place where people could go for free, people who haven't got the finances to go and spend a lot of money.
"With it being Chasewater, if people come to use it they will spend money in the cafe. It encourages parents and children to be more active and spreads the reputation of the community - it's somewhere for everyone to go."
As part of the campaign, Rachel has set up a Facebook group called 'Let's get a Pump Track built in Burntwood' which has attracted more than 600 members, put up fliers and set up stalls in local shops, saying she is "trying everything possible" to get the facility built.
Rachel said it would mean "so much" if the track was to be created.
The mum-of-one explained: "It would be amazing - I would probably cry. We just want something better for the community.
"We have great community groups but we have a lack of facilities. We are getting really overpopulated and have got nothing to accommodate us."
The campaign is being backed by leader of Burntwood Town Council, Councillor Darren Ennis, as well as Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield, Burntwood and the Villages, who said he is "proud" to be supporting it.
Staffordshire County Council said developing a pump track was among the ideas being considered to improve the park.
Victoria Wilson, cabinet member for communities and culture at local authority said: “We are currently undertaking feasibility work to explore how we can enhance and improve Chasewater Country Park.
“We have engaged widely with local residents, organisations and visitors to the site about what they value and what they would like to see, and many ideas and suggestions have been put forward.
“The project team is looking at all the suggestions that have come in, and the idea of developing a pump track is one of many to be considered. At this stage it is too soon to say whether this might be feasible as part of the overall project.”
