OLYMPIC legacy plans to transform Hadleigh Farm into a top tourist attraction are finally set to start next month.
The £6.8million project, led by Essex County Council, will see the creation of a community centre, including a bike hire shop, cafe, community hall and work space, as well as additional trails through the country park.
The first phase of the scheme will start inmid to late October and involve adapting the Olympic mountain biking track for public use, creating 18km of trails through the park and a new area for families to learn new mountain biking abilities.
TheOlympic trackwill have different routes, colour-coded according to difficulty, and riders will have to “opt in” to the more challenging levels.
The work is expected to last until next May and may involve some limited closures to areas of the park.
The second phase of work will involve construction of the community hub at Sayers Farm and start in January.
County councillor John Jowers, cabinet member for libraries, communities and planning, said: “I am delighted works are set to begin at our legacy venue. This comes after several months of planning, preparations and dedication from our Essex Legacy team at County Hall.
“As the development of the trail network begins, people can look forward to the opening of the venue, where Essex and Hadleigh will once again confirm its place in history as a world-class Olympic and now legacy venue.”
About 120,000 people visit the park every year, but council bosses hope the massive investment will help boost the number venturing to Hadleigh to 400,000 .
The project is expected to be competed in spring 2015.
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