A new £88,000 BMX circuit created to prevent anti-social riding has opened to the public.

The new pump track, in the grounds of Snodland Community Centre in Paddlesworth Road, was launched on Sunday with a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch and Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr Sue Bell.

It opened to the public on October 6 after plans were initially announced last year, when Snodland Town Council was awarded a £43,500 grant by British Cycling to help fund the track.

An additional £45,000 had already been raised by the council, Snodland Partnership and Clarion Futures - the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group.

The track was built by Community Cycleworks, a community interest company specialising in youth biking projects, after being approached by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Kent Police in 2019 following reports of anti-social biking in the area.

The launch event ran from midday until 4pm, with other attendees including Stewart Vanns and Mike Finch, who run Community Cycleworks, Ollie Underwood from contractor Clark & Kent, Malling North Cllr Sarah Hohler, and Reuben Smith, a Strood teenager and BMX racer who suffered a double fracture in his collarbone after a crash at the National BMX Championships in Birmingham in August.

He had set the fastest lap in the 15-year-old category and was leading his second race when a rival lost balance, and caused Reuben to somersault over the handlebars.

Now recovered from his injury, Reuben attended the event on Sunday and rode the track with GB elite rider Paddy Sharrock.

Reuben is a finalist in the 2022 Medway Youth Awards, and will be attending the event on November 9.

The track has free and open access to members of the public of all ages and abilities, with sections for all levels of difficulty.

Contractors Clark & Kent previously built the Olympic BMX track at Lee Valley.

Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling, and chairman of Snodland Town Council, Cllr Sue Bell said: “Snodland Town Council are delighted that the long-awaited pump track is finally ready. We have already seen the track being used by lots of children and adults having an amazing time.

"This track could not have happened without the hard work and determination of Stewart and Mike from Community Cycleworks who run Snodland Bike Club and funding from British Cycling, Snodland Town Council, Clarion Futures, the Snodland Partnership, United Living, Tarmac and KCC.”

Stewart Vanns, founder of Community Cycleworks and project lead for Snodland Pump Track, said: “It's so surreal that this day has finally arrived. There have been many challenges along the way, but now, seeing it complete, I am just so proud of the team behind the project.

“Every local person I speak to is so excited to see it open, and that it is bigger than they expected. The children of Snodland Bike Club (SBC) have been eager to ride the track and build their skills.”

Dan Mann, unit manager at Tarmac’s Snodland asphalt plant, said: “We have been involved with this project from the beginning and most recently supported it through the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund.

"We are committed to supporting communities in which we operate and are delighted with the outcome which will be a huge benefit for the Snodland community."