AN AVID mountain biker is “disgusted” at the state of the Hadleigh Park trails and has accused Essex County Council of “neglecting” the site once used by world-class professional cyclists.

The site staged the London 2012 Men’s and Women’s’ Mountain Bike events and reopened for public use in 2015 as part of the Olympic legacy.

The promise was to inspire people to get into sport and to make sure it is always fully accessible, but according to Martin Baxter, 72, the state of some of the tracks is making it “impassable” for the bikes.

Essex County Council has insisted it is committed to maintaining the trails, adding that they should all reopen in the near future.

Mr Baxter said: “Some of the tracks are closed off, and the ones that are open are severely overgrown with brambles, thistles and hemlock, which makes it impassable and hazardous.

“It’s disgusting, and I think it’s terrible because the whole point of the legacy from the 2012 Olympics was to ensure sports facilities were fully accessible for public use.

“Yes, they can use the Hadleigh Park trails, but it’s not fully useable due to the lack of maintenance.

“I spoke to one of the workers at the park, and they were making an effort on clearing some of the branches and brambles off the track.

“Essex County Council need to do something about this.”

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: "Essex County Council is committed to ensuring remedial works to the trails take place and it is hoped that all trails will once again be open soon.

"There is some overgrowth due to problems with cutting machinery, which is currently being addressed. In the interim, every effort is being made to maintain the trails.

"With only a small section of the trails being closed, many visitors and clubs continue to enjoy the mountain bike trails at Hadleigh Country Park, which are offered free of charge."

Jacqui Thornton, St James’ ward Conservative councillor, said: “I work closely with the rangers at Hadleigh Park and as the park has a multi-function, including the wildlife, work is very much done in line with wildlife.

“If there are any complaints, please let me know so I can raise the issue.”

Large sections of the Olympic 5km long crushed sandstone course, which features sharp, technical descents and climbs, were damaged last year after a severe cold snap forced the trail to close.

Following London 2012, the course was split into three trails – blue, red and black, with blue being the easiest and black being the most difficult.

The multi-user route which goes all around the park is 9km long.

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council is committed to ensuring remedial works to the trails take place and it is hoped that all trails will once again be open soon.

“There is some overgrowth due to problems with cutting machinery, which is currently being addressed.  In the interim, every effort is being made to maintain the trails. 

“With only a small section of the trails being closed, many visitors and clubs continue to enjoy the mountain bike trails at Hadleigh Country Park, which are offered free of charge.”