£340k revamp under starter’s orders at track

SALFORD’S only running track is set to get a £340,000 revamp to stop it from deteriorating.

Cleavley Athletics in Winton, Eccles, is set for a major refurb, with a new full topcoat of paint and a larger car park that the council hopes will stem the congestion problem in nearby streets.

The track itself, which was closed briefly in 2017 after vandals cut the electricity supply, hasn’t had significant work done to it since 2004.

But councillors are set to sign off on a threemonth programme of works which will see repairs to parts of the track, a new resurface and repairs to the athletics equipment. Documents going before the town hall’s procurement board – which is set to sign off on the cash injection next week – say the track is ‘thriving.’

Two athletics clubs, Salford Met and Salford Harriers, use the site, while it’s also home to Winton Wanderers junior football club.

Inclusive cycling charity Wheels for All Salford and Salford Action for Autism group are also regular users.

But the space is ‘encumbered by insufficient parking’ which has a knock-on effect on the local community, the documents say.

“Once the limited existing parking has been occupied, cars park on the trackside grass areas and ‘on street’ in the vicinity of the track,” they say.

The council wants to solve that problem by expanding the car park into a nearby derelict horticultural nursery, the papers add.

“This project will result in 57 spaces and space for a further 47 at a future date.

“There is a commitment to take on work experience placements, employ specific local expertise, utilise specialist local suppliers, make donations to local schools and provide free labour to local causes and corporate volunteering events.” If approved on Wednesday, work on the car park will start in January and finish the following month.

Work on the track will start in March 2020 and is expected to conclude by June 2020.

Two contracts are set to be signed off at next week’s meeting – 238,876 towards track works and 106,876 on the car park.

The council will also spend an additional 56,000 on fees and feasibility studies.

The money comes from the town hall’s ‘place capital’ programme and was allocated in the most recent budget.