A new Cardiff cycle circuit could become the city’s lasting legacy from the Tour de France, with a 1.5km traffic-free, closed-road track proposed on council-owned land in Leckwith.
Stage 3 of the world-famous race will finish outside Cardiff Castle in July 2027. The idea behind the national-standard circuit is simple enough: take the excitement the race brings to the city and turn it into something that lasts, encouraging more people to get active long after the riders have gone.
There are currently no urban closed-road circuits anywhere in South Wales. What’s more, demand modelling carried out as part of an Outline Business Case points to strong potential usage. The proposal has the backing of the national governing bodies for cycling, triathlon, athletics and community sport, which have named it as a shared priority. The Leckwith site also sits close to existing sport and education facilities.
Who would pay for it?
The Cardiff cycle circuit is estimated to cost around £4 million. However, that money would not come from Cardiff Council. The project depends on external capital funding being secured through the Tour de France legacy programme, along with planning permission and the council’s approval of a future Full Business Case.
The preferred approach is for the facility to be run by a third party, working alongside the council and the national governing bodies. The aim would be a financially sustainable operating model that protects affordable community access, runs a busy year-round programme and supports regional and national sporting events, with money reinvested back into the facility.
Subject to Cabinet approval, the council’s role would be to provide the land, support the governance of securing capital funding, provide administrative support for planning and procurement, and oversee the project as it moves to its next stage.
More than a racetrack
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 a 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.”
The Cardiff cycle circuit also forms part of a UK-wide National Facilities Strategy developed by Beicio Cymru, British Cycling and Scottish Cycling, which sets out an investment-ready framework to unlock funding for high-quality cycling facilities. Cardiff Council and the other cities and organisations involved in the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have committed their support to delivering the legacy outcomes it identifies.
What happens next?
The report goes before the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 13 October, before Cardiff Council’s Cabinet considers it on Thursday 15 October. Cabinet is being recommended to approve the Outline Business Case so that work on the project can progress.
Read the report being discussed by Cabinet.
Main image: Indicative CGI showing how a cycle circuit could look. Credit: DB3 Architects
…
Fancy getting active now?
You don’t have to wait for 2027. Cardiff is packed with green space for walking, running and riding. Here’s our ultimate guide to parks in Cardiff.
…
