A DREAM a decade in the making finally started to become a reality this week as work began on a pump track in Builth Wells.

The idea is the brainchild of the Builth Bike Bash – a charity whose aim is to encourage more people to ride their bikes – who first got the wheels of the project spinning 10 years ago. Organisers admit it’s been “a long time coming” but work finally began on Monday, with contractors JB Extreme Landscapes Ltd scheduled to take around six weeks to build the pump track, located on a patch of land at the extreme north end of the town’s Groe area, behind Builth Wells Football Club and adjacent to where the rivers Irfon and Wye meet.

“This will be a track available for everyone to use for free,” Bonna Williams, from the Builth Bike Bash committee, said of the project, which is set to cost around £85,000.

“It is designed to be enjoyed by a range of cyclists, from beginners on balance bikes to experienced BMXers and everyone else in between. The track will have an asphalt surface which makes it suitable for scooters and skateboards too.

“We see this as a great addition to the play facilities in Builth. The work is expected to take about six weeks to complete, but that is weather dependant.

“The Bike Bash committee started looking into getting a cycle facility built about 10 years ago, so this has been a long time coming.”

Bonna paid tribute to the number of groups and organisations – many of them local – who have helped to raise the funds.

She added: “The project is expected to cost in the region of £85,000. Some of this has been raised as grants from Sport Wales, the Postcode Lottery, the town council and the Coop.

“Local businesses have been very generous too with donations from the Crossing Garage, Andrew Davies Building Services, Smithfield Tractors, Howdens, Fforest Fields campsite, Builth Wells Rugby Club, Preserved Timber Products and Hanson.

“Funds have also been raised through various events, including sponsored rides, a horserace night, a car boot sale and several raffles. The committee would like to thank everyone who has helped to make this dream a reality.”

There are plans to hold an official opening day, but a date for that will be set once work is complete.

As well as encouraging more cycle use in town, the group is renowned for organising the annual Builth Bike Bash cycling festival.

First held in 2011 to coincide with celebrating the fact that the Tour of Britain was passing through Builth, it proved to be so much fun that the bash has continued ever since. It returned in 2021 after a few absent years due to coronavirus and being held elsewhere.