Club which lost four members wants Rhyl cycling track

The new facility could include a cycle track and BMX track

A cycling association hoping to secure £500,000 for a purpose-built track has been asked to provide more information.

The Glanmorfa Cycling Association, which represents a number of different clubs, wants a new track in Rhyl.

After making a presentation to Denbighshire council and the Welsh Assembly Government, the group said Thursday's meeting was positive.

Rhyl Cycling Club, which lost four members in a crash in 2006, is among those campaigning for the new centre.

Thomas Harland, 14, Maurice Broadbent, 61, Dave Horrocks, 55, and Wayne Wilkes, 42, died near Abergele, Conwy, on 8 January, 2006.

The four cyclists were on a practice ride when a car crashed into them on the A547.

Pictured clockwise: Thomas Harland, Wayne Wilkes, Maurice Broadbent, Dave Horrocks

The road had not been gritted, despite warnings about icy conditions in the area.

The driver, Robert Harris, from Abergele, was fined by magistrates for having defective tyres.

Ruling out accidental death after a three-week inquest, a jury later returned a narrative verdict, criticising Robert Harris's driving and highlighting communication failures over road gritting between the police, Conwy and Denbighshire councils.

On Thursday, a presentation was made to Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Government, in a bid to secure £500,000 strategic regeneration funding.

The presentation was made by Glanmorfa Cycling Association (GCA), which is made up of cycling and athletics clubs, as well as councillors and a residents association.

Among those making the presentation was be Jonathan Harland, whose son Thomas was killed in the 2006 tragedy.

The group says it has already secured £500,000 funding, which includes £250,000 from the World Renewable Energy Network.

GCA hope to develop the facility in Rhyl which will include 1.2km (0.75 mile) road track, national standard BMX track, as well as a clubhouse and changing room facilities.

'Fitting tribute'

The scheme, on an old landfill site, would incorporate some kind of memorial element in memory of the cyclists who lost their lives.

If successful, the group hopes to establish a not-for-profit organisation to run the centre, which is currently called Marsh Tracks.

Paul Rutt, who is also making a presentation, said the centre could be used for a number of different sports in addition to cycling.

He said: "It's a great opportunity to bring some safe cycling the community of Rhyl and beyond.

"It would be fitting tribute to those who have worked so tirelessly over the years to secure such a facility."