Petition launched to save Flyup 417 Bike Park from closure

Flyup 417, a popular mountain biking facility near Witcombe, has been placed under threat of closure by the A417 Missing Link project.

Plans for the road development project were recently revised, with a number of changes made that would make the park unable to be insured.

Last year, an agreement was in place between the park and National Highways — who are responsible for the A417 project — which would see the park operate as normal until the completion of the project.

After staffing changes at National Highways, the agreement was then retracted; forcing Flyup 417 to plan for a closure.

However, a petition has been launched to save the park, amassing over 600 signatures in just three days.

On the petition's Change.org page, organiser Gary Francis wrote that 'the loss would be felt deeply within our community.'

If successful, the petition could force National Highways to reverse their decision.

Angela Ruskin, director of 417 Bike Park, said: 'As local residents and business owners, who completely support the road scheme and its need to be built, we have spent the last few months working tirelessly to communicate, meet and discuss the situation with National Highways – to explain our unique situation and highlight the impact of any deviation to the previously agreed solution.'

The bike park is a hive of activity for local mountain bike enthusiasts, with trails for riders of all ability levels; coaching services; holiday clubs for kids; and an on-site bike workshop.