Hadleigh Park Mountain Bike Trail Centre

Left to rot

It used to be brilliant,  but someone seems to think it should now be a dog walk and park run venue. What a shame and wasted opportunity.  Where did the Olympic legacy go?

I used to enjoy riding the variety of trails when I first started riding at the park. Over the years the trails have been allowed to fall in a state of disrepair and any attempted maintenance has been a dismal failure. Combined with the trails being more walking paths, priority for park runs and little or no cycling orientated events allowed without ridiculous costs when they are zero cost non profit events for public well being, the management seem to have done their upmost to loose the mtb legacy that could have been so much. I feel there is still hope in the mtb community but maybe the decline is too much to recover.

A local mtb facility that is easy to access.

A few years ago, there was an opportunity for the bike park to bring in a new contractor to manage the trails and enhance the experience for riders and the general public. Descent Bike Parks, who have successfully run events across Essex and Kent, pitched for this contract. We have a team of experienced builders with extensive knowledge, supported by professional athletes in the sport.

Our track record speaks for itself - we have built trails successfully used by pro riders including Sam Pilgrim, Josh Lowe, Tom Cardy and Carly & Harry Malloy. We also constructed fixed kicker ramps for The Bull Track in Crowborough (Alvar Coppard), which was featured in the Bull Send with a full video available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtFX6Drb9Mk&ab_channel=HoultDesignandMedia - This event attracted people far and wide, raised great money for local businesses who has stalls set up on site.

After attending the meeting and presenting our plans, the initial response was very promising. However, we quickly discovered that the £500,000 grant available would be largely absorbed by materials costs alone. The specialised sand required was three times the usual cost, as it was only available from a supplier up north - meaning no support for local businesses. Additionally, the brief was limited to trail maintenance only, with no new features allowed. This approach would never enable riders to progress or attract new participants to the sport.

Our proposal included more technical trails, varied jump features (tabletops and gaps), and even airbag facilities for special events. We were also committed to raising money for local charities, having previously supported SNAP charity in Brentwood, which assists local residents with real needs.

After extensive correspondence, we received the disappointing news that another contractor had been selected. We had hoped there was someone offering more comprehensive services than us, but unfortunately, a drainage company was awarded the contract. Since then, we've witnessed a decline in the park's condition, with features being removed or left in dangerous states, leading to fewer visits and poor reviews.

Would we consider trying again? Perhaps - if there's another opportunity to properly enhance this facility for the riding community.

The space

This park used to be a fun and family friendly with trails for all ability’s now it’s for people with high skills due to the condition of the runs. Half of the trails are unusable or closed, all this with the cost of parking makes this a costly and non fun place to visit for me. 

I used to like the Hub a good meeting place for family and friends and the bike shop is great for spares. Being outdoors and having exercise. 

The trails have been neglected for years with little to no help from the local Tory council. 

The trails are poorly managed with little emphasis on keeping non-cycling users off of red/black trails which leads to conflict most of the time. 

As others have mentioned, the loose makeup of the surface leads to little grip making the possibility of washing out the norm other than the exception. 

A squandered opportunity in a dedicated riding community that seems to have been rejected by the council over the needs of other user groups. 

More trails in the surrounding area, linking up with the existing network. There’s huge scope on the downs for more trails in an area that’s perfect terrain for mountain biking. 

A great potential but sadly neglected for years by the council.

Mtb trails are poorly maintained with tons of loose gravel dumped on corners making most of the trails dangerous to ride.

Most of the Olympic features are closed following a poor attempt at maintenance many years ago which made things worse.

A local club volunteered for maintenance days but were treated so poorly by the council they stopped.

I've never seen a ranger over there maintaining the trails. All they seen to do is make the area safer for the cows to graze. 

Poor show by the council ruining a Legacy that could be so good.

Maintain the trails and the park would attract local races, local events, all of which would bring income to the park.

Great potential for an all weather all year round facility.