Formal Launch of the New Hadleigh Park MTB Centre

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon John Whittingdale, and double Olympic champion cyclist, Victoria Pendleton CBE, joined the celebrations as a once in a lifetime Olympic legacy was created for Essex.

Hadleigh Park, which was officially launched today, is the only Olympic mountain bike course open to the public in the world.

The Olympic trails and spectacular views that the world saw during the 2012 Olympics have remained and are now open for all to see and enjoy.

Since London 2012, Essex County Council, along with Active Essex, have been developing Hadleigh Park into a world-class sporting venue with one of the best UK mountain bike courses in the country at its heart.

The Active Essex team at Essex County Council have been working closely with key partners to secure a sustainable future for the valuable green space at Hadleigh Park, encouraging people of Essex to be more physically active and connect with their environment. This great sporting legacy is hoped to inspire generations to come.

Visitors can experience the original Olympic mountain bike course, which has been retained and developed with a new and wider network of trails and paths to suit all abilities and ages. The Park also includes a visitor centre, complete with a café, ranger's offices, outdoor children's play area and seating. A bike shop and rental is due to open early July.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon John Whittingdale OBE, said: "The Olympic plan promised an enduring legacy. Hadleigh Park helps to achieve that promise, with this wonderful Olympic venue now open to all. It also shows what a difference Olympic investment can make to everybody, not just our top athletes. Visitors to Hadleigh Park may not be looking to win any medals, but they will be able to enjoy one of the most breath-taking biking sites in the country."

Double Olympic champion cyclist, Victoria Pendleton said: "It gives me great pleasure to be at Hadleigh Park today celebrating this world class sports facility. It's a wonderful venue for people to enjoy and fully equipped with everything you need to go from novice to Olympian.

"I wish Hadleigh Park every success and I look forward to returning to support the major sporting events that Hadleigh Park will undoubtedly attract."

Chairman of Active Essex, Gary Sullivan OBE said: "It's been an exciting journey since London 2012 and we are delighted to launch Hadleigh Park - our own piece of Olympic history in Essex. We hope this legacy facility will inspire a generation of young and old to be more physically active as well as provide opportunities for our future Olympians."

Essex County Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for Sport and Physical Activity, Cllr Ray Gooding, said: "We're very excited about the year ahead and have already attracted the attention of national competitions, such as the British Cycling National Mountain Bike Championships which is booked here in July.

"However, people would be missing out if they thought mountain biking was all we have on offer at Hadleigh Park. There is something for everyone from dog walkers and joggers to families taking in the scenery and enjoying the wildlife. Steeped in history and with stunning views over the Thames estuary I would urge people to come to Hadleigh Park, the ideal setting for a great day out."

Sport England's Property Director, Charles Johnston said "Sport England is proud to have invested in such a dynamic proposal to build on the Olympic legacy locally in Essex, and develop a healthier community, and the next generation of active mountain biking enthusiasts."

Hadleigh Park is open to the public daily between dawn and dusk (8am – 8pm in summer and 8am – 5.30pm in winter). Staff are on site between 8am and 5.30pm. The venue and trails are free to access. Parking charges are not currently in operation but will be consistent with other County Parks and regional mountain biking facilities.

To keep up to date and for events information please like 'Hadleigh Park' on Facebook and follow @Hadleigh_Park on Twitter. The official Hadleigh Park website can be found at www.hadleigh-park.co.uk