Manchester Velodrome Given Planning Permission For Major Refurbishment

Approval has been given for major plans to carry out urgent repairs at Manchester Velodrome after concerns were expressed about its long-term future.

Numerous structural, mechanical and electrical failures have been identified at the 26-year-old building which forms part of the HSBC UK National Cycling Centre.

A report submitted with the planning application warned that if ‘catastrophic' failings forced the complex to close, investment in Manchester would dry up and renowned cycling events would relocate to other UK cities.

Manchester council, which developed the Velodrome alongside British Cycling and Sports England, wants to bring the facility up to modern standards, benefitting Team GB and all the Manchester residents who enjoy using it thereby keeping the city at the forefront this exciting sport and protecting its long-term future as the headquarters of Team GB’s cycling team.

Work could start after the Tokyo Olympics which are scheduled to take place July and August, 2021, allowing Team GB to continue their training at the Velodrome.

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, executive member for skills, culture and leisure, said: "The Velodrome is a structurally sound building, but is now more than 25 years old and work is needed to future-proof it for the coming decades.

"We have made a long-term commitment to cycling in Manchester and have been working with British Cycling to thoroughly assess the building”.