Edinburgh defends cycling plans

City of Edinburgh Council has responded to criticism from Chris Hoy by reiterating its desire to create a new cycling facility in Scotland's capital.

The Olympic triple gold medallist said the planned demolition of the velodrome at Meadowbank was short-sighted.

But a council spokesman said: "Although cycling is moving away from Meadowbank, where the track is past its best, we want to create a new facility."

The spokesman stressed, though, that the council needed help with funding.

A new national velodrome is being built in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and will be named after Hoy.

"We are aware of Scottish Government support for cycling facilities outside Glasgow and the council is behind that idea," said Edinburgh Council.

"But we do need external assistance to pay for it. The ideal situation would be that a new cycling facility is in place before the Meadowbank track is taken down and that is what we will aim for."

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