A PARTNERSHIP between Middlesbrough council and the governing body of cycling in the UK is to continue for the next two years.

Since its official launch in 2011, the Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit at Prissick, off Marton Road in the town, has encouraged more people to become more active through the sport.

The circuit was funded by British Cycling and grants obtained by Middlesbrough Council and plans are already in place to widen the range of activities offered at the centre.

It is hoped this will establish the centre as a regionally and nationally-important cycling base.

Stewart Kellett, director of recreation and partnerships for British Cycling, said: “Prissick has become one of our national case studies of best practice for growing participation in cycling.

“We now see the circuit as an inclusive cycling facility, which offers opportunities for participation ranging from elite road racing to inclusive cycling and all things in between.”

The cycle partnership has built up momentum across Middlesbrough with a number of racing and non-competitive events being staged at the Middlesbrough Cycle Circuit.

The facility has also become a regional hub for a number of British Cycling’s national programmes such as the Breeze women’s network and the locally-led Sky Ride programme.

Mr Kellett said: “By investing in a formal partnership with British Cycling, Middlesbrough Council has shown the highest level of commitment to the development of cycling within the whole of the borough, and to the growth in status of a fantastic cycling facility.”