Wednesday August 13th 2025
Tweedbank Indoor Bowling centre. The track is to be constructed at the rear of the bowling centre.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The green light has been given to a new cycle speedway track that will host international competitions in the Borders.
The track is to be constructed on ground to the rear of the Tweedbank Indoor Bowling Centre on behalf of the Border Raiders Cycle Speedway Club.
The aim of the project is to build a multi-use short track racing facility that creates a safe space for activities including learning to ride, returning to cycling, scooting, running and high-intensity cycle sessions.
In his report approving the application, Carlos Clarke, SBC’s lead planning officer, states: “This application seeks consent for a speedway track on a site south of an existing bowling club within Tweedbank, and west of an athletics track and associated sports grounds.
“The track would facilitate recreational and competitive cycling (non-motorised), scooting and running.
“Associated with the proposed track is also a proposed path link, storage container, path and track lighting and a hard surfaced pit area.
” There would be no loss of existing active space; the proposal would be designed to cycle sports and speedway provision guidance; and as regards maintenance and management, the supporting design statement explains that the responsibilities for the site would be for the speedway club who would own the development.”
A report, submitted with the application, stated: “The track will be open all year for casual access by the public so that families can use it whilst teaching their children to learn to ride, run or scoot round it, for pleasure or training purposes, free of charge when it is not being used for other organised purposes.
“This model is currently operating at Glasgow’s Cathkin Park Track and Edinburgh’s Redbraes Park without any damage to the track.
“The track would also be reserved for use for a number of specialist programmed sessions.”
The venue will be suitable for recreational riding, and competitions from grassroots to UK and international level.
Designed by SBC’s engineering design team, it is also be the home for the region’s own cycle speedway team, the Border Raiders, and for use by any other cycle speedway groups that subsequently form in the Borders.
The area for the track is owned by SBC and a 20-year lease has been granted to the Border Raiders, subject to the completion of all legal formalities.
“The design has been developed to minimise the loss of mature trees and the effect or loss on other boundary features,” the report adds. “In total, three individual trees and several small self-seeded trees will require removal to facilitate the development.
“The ongoing maintenance of the track surface, starting gate, centre-island, ancillary structures such as sheds and containers, any lighting and other equipment directly related to the sport itself will be the responsibility of the Border Raiders Cycle Speedway Club management committee, who will delegate some of these responsibilities to other user groups.”
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