8 OCTOBER 2008 NEWS RELEASE No: 11010

The visitor experience to the Forestry Commission’s Haldon Forest Park near Exeter is set to get even better, with improved and expanded off-road cycling facilities and a new cafe.

Significant funding has been secured to take both projects forward as part of an ongoing development plan for this hugely popular recreation site, which aims to cater for all visitors from local families to mountain bike enthusiasts.

Thanks to grants of £282,000 from Devon County Council and £98,000 from Devon Renaissance a new off-road cycling trail is being built. There will also be improvements to the play trail, which will include making it more suitable for children’s bikes.

Haldon Forest Park is in great demand for off-road cycling. The latest visitor surveys estimate that Haldon receives over 200,000 visits per year. In its first year, 70% of visitors used the site to cycle.

The Forestry Commission is also part of a new partnership project to develop top quality off-road cycling and mountain biking ‘hub’ sites all across Devon and Cornwall. The aim is to create cycling facilities for people at all skill levels and get more people regularly cycling. It is hoped that with the new investment, Haldon Forest Park will become the first ‘hub’ site in Devon.

Paul Hawkins, Off Road Cycling Project Co-Ordinator comments:

“This is an important first step in the off-road cycling project. Our region has all the right ingredients to become the best destination for off-road cycling in England. Developing cycling facilities at Haldon will make a huge difference to the site and will create opportunities for many more people to cycle there. We want to make off-road cycling something that everyone can enjoy, not just experienced cyclists.”

Funding partners have already been identified to further enhance Haldon’s off-road cycling offering when this first phase completes in March 2009.

Another exciting part of Haldon’s development is the opening of a new cafe on the site. It will use an existing building and sell local food and drink products. The lease for the café will be put out to tender, creating a new local business opportunity, and it is expected to open at the end of March 2009.

Devon County Councillor and Executive Member for the Environment, Margaret Rogers said:

"I am delighted to be working with the Forestry Commission on this project and be able to offer this funding to them. These new facilities are really going to encourage people to take to their bikes and also spur on future cycling projects in the area".

Fiona Edwards from Devon Renaissance adds:

“Devon Renaissance are thrilled to be involved with this valuable and exciting project to provide a world class off-road cycling destination in Devon. It will stimulate growth of this new and growing tourism market here in the south west region. The energy efficient café will provide new business opportunities and will underpin local businesses through the provision of local and healthy food."

Bridgette Hall, Recreation Manager at the Forestry Commission comments:

“This is an important step in the continued development of Haldon Forest Park. The success of the Park has been clear to see and our aim is to continue to provide the best environment possible for all our visitors and we know that both increased off-road cycling facilities and a café are top of their wish list. The Forestry Commission is delighted to have received this vital funding from Devon County Council and Devon Renaissance and we look forward to continuing to work with these and other partners to make Haldon Forest Park the best it can possibly be.”

Ends

Notes to Editors
1. The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk/england

2. For further information, please contact Kirstie Smith, Forestry Commission Communications Manager on 01392 834249.