Councillors sign off plans to build a cycling track at Doncaster Dome

Doncaster Culture & Leisure Trust will take on the patch to develop the 1km circuit which aims at encouraging and increasing the levels of cycling in the borough. 

The meeting heard since Doncaster hosted a stage of the Tour de Yorkshire in 2016, cycling participation and club membership has increased. 

A report outlined one barrier to this growing further was to identify a '˜safe traffic free' environment for cycling. 

Addressing fellow cabinet members and council officers, Coun Nigel Ball said the scheme was a '˜safe place' for children to learn to ride their bike, increased the physical activity levels of Doncaster residents and '˜made a real statement' by putting the borough '˜on the cycling map'.

British Cycling along with Sport England has committed funds to the project but they have not yet said how much. 

Doncaster Council will also fund part of the development. 

It is hoped the track will be built before Doncaster hosts a stage of the UCI World Championships in 2019. 

Mayor Ros Jones said: 'We're seeing to be more and more at the forefront of cycling in this country and I'm delighted to see that.

'Again, it doesn't go without saying it does stimulate the economy and people come together as we get crowds there for the Tour de Yorkshire and the world cycling events. 

'Importantly, this scheme is a safe environment for youngster to learn to cycle as well as doing it for health reasons or just to enhance their own life.' 

Coun Joe Blackham added: 'We cannot sit back back and allow Doncaster to stagnate. 

'This scheme moves Doncaster forward delivering an alternative for residents.'