Police inspector backs calls to save running track in South Bristol
The calls come ahead of a key debate on the future of the Whitchurch Athletics Track
Police inspector says saving running track would help keep rowdy teens out of trouble
A police inspector has said that saving a running track in South Bristol would help keep rowdy teenagers out of trouble in an open letter. Ahead of a key debate on the future of the Whitchurch Athletics Track, its benefit as an alternative to anti-social behaviour has been highlighted.
Neighbourhoods near to the track, like Hartcliffe, suffer from a lot of crime and anti-social behaviour, with few activities for young people to get involved in. But sports have seen success in “diversionary work”, giving teenagers a positive outlet and encouragement.
Inspector Terry Murphy is responsible for neighbourhood policing in South Bristol and offered his “strong support” to the campaign. The track’s future will be debated by Bristol City Council on Tuesday, July 8, and councillors have been urged to consider its wider community benefits.
In the open letter, Insp Murphy said: “Over the years, the running track has become far more than just a recreational facility. It has been a vital community asset and a proven tool for youth diversion. I have seen how access to structured, healthy activities such as athletics can provide a meaningful alternative to anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, and criminal activity — particularly among young people who may lack positive outlets or direction in their lives.
“We work regularly with community partners to identify and support vulnerable youths at risk of offending. Programmes based around sporting facilities have given these young people structure, discipline, a sense of belonging, and something to aspire to. For some, it has been the first place where they have encountered mentorship, encouragement, and belief in their potential. For others, it has simply been a safe space to go when other options were lacking.”
The running track is located on the south-eastern corner of Hengrove Park. Goram Homes, the council-owned developer, is planning to build housing on the track, which is used by the Bristol Family Cycling Centre as well as Southville Running Club during the summer.
The council is planning to build a new cycling centre in Lawrence Weston, 10 miles away. Council staff previously admitted this would be too far for many in the area to travel to, and councillors lamented that South Bristol was “losing another facility” to the north of the city.
The police inspector added: “Redeveloping this facility would remove one of the few remaining spaces in South Bristol where positive engagement can take place. We risk losing an asset that can help complement community policing and outreach work, and could help reduce the levels of youth-related crime and disorder in the area.
“I respectfully urge the council to consider not only the financial implications of maintaining the track but also the far greater social cost of losing it. Investing in prevention is always more effective — and more economical — than responding to the consequences of disengaged and disenfranchised youth.”
Elsewhere in South Bristol, developers have changed their plans in response to opposition from the local community. The Redcatch Quarter development, for example, will replace the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle. Initially, developers wanted to build 850 homes in tall tower blocks, but after feedback from locals, will build 492 homes in smaller buildings instead.
Because thousands of people are demanding the council rethink the plan to build housing on the track, councillors will now debate their petition. Over 6,500 signed the petition, with almost 4,000 of those living in Bristol.
John Pearce, who is running the campaign to save the track, said: “The government is pledging to spend £900 million on major sporting events and facilities, and Hartcliffe has been identified in the government strategy as one of their 25 ‘trailblazer neighbourhoods’, aimed at supporting communities that have been left behind.
“To close this track in this current landscape would make no sense. Athletics is one of the few sports which is completely accessible to everyone, regardless of economic status and if regenerated could be a huge service to local schools, youth groups and communities.
“Accessibility is one of the main barriers to those from under-represented groups accessing health and fitness, so removing this out of an area of low socioeconomic backgrounds would increase, not remove, these barriers.”