ACTIVE young people and youthful adults alike have already been enjoying Woodchester’s new bike trails.

The trails behind Rooksmoor Mills were officially opened on Saturday, April 1 after a four-year effort triggered by now former Woodchester parish councillor Iain Dunbar in 2013.

Residents had requested play facilities for their children and unfortunately the parish council did not own land in the village and struggled to find a suitable site.

However, land was successfully leased for the new trails, with the majority of funding for the £29,000 site coming from Gloucestershire County Council’s Active Together and Children and Young Person's Grants via the area’s county councillor Dorcas Binns.

She said: “I am so pleased to have played a part in making this fantastic bike trail a reality.

“This long awaited scheme will be used by local and passing children of all ages, encouraging them to keep fit and healthy.”

Woodchester Parish Council, Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association, Renishaw, and charities - Summerfield Trust, Jack Lane Trust, Langtree Trust combined to reach the overall cost.

Woodchester parish councillor Uta Baldauf said: “It already appears to have had a great effect on Woodchester, many youth are using the track.

“Having been part of the process since 2013 it feels amazing watching the children cycling around the track.

“We have no playground in Woodchester, and various attempts to find space to build one failed but this feels like a good reason to be part of local government, because we can create a better community if we work together.

“But I also learned everything takes time.”

The trails are free to use and are suitable for riders aged five and over who are advised to wear a helmet and protective clothing.

Woodchester parish councillor Katharine McNealey said: “We are thrilled to have been able to give local children a new opportunity to have fun outdoors on their bicycles.

“This is so important when more and more young people are spending time inside playing computer games.

“The bike trails are proving popular with local dads too, we have seen many fathers cycling here with their children and enjoying the lumps and bumps on the specially designed track.

“It is lovely to see families outdoors, having fun together.”

Access to the bike trail is only available via bike or foot, there is no local parking.