A Burntwood mum is stepping up a two year campaign to bring a new pump track to the town, inspired by her 10 year old son’s love of cycling and the lack of free facilities locally.
Rachel Stackhouse, who lives in Burntwood, began looking into how pump tracks are being used around the UK and says the benefits are “overwhelming”. Evidence from other towns shows they can help reduce anti–social behaviour, build confidence and coordination, and create a free, healthy outdoor space for people of all ages.
They offer “freedom”, a place where negative energy can be turned into something positive.
That word has now become the title of a campaign song, ‘Give Us Freedom’, written and sung by 19 year old Burntwood musician James Sutton, with a video produced by JCFX Media to help spread the message.
Rachel isn’t working alone. Fellow Burntwood mum Sara Thompson has been involved from the very start and is described as the campaign’s “go to lady”, helping to link up with councillors, schools and local organisations. Together they have organised surveys, competitions, leaflet drops and regular updates in a Facebook lobbying group that now has more than 1,000 members.
A petition launched in April attracted 2,508 signatures and was presented at county level. As a result, Staffordshire County Council is now exploring the feasibility of a site at Chasewater Country Park and seeking partners to help fund and deliver the project.
The proposed pump track would be open to people of all ages and abilities, suitable for bikes, scooters, balance bikes and more. Campaigners are also pushing for an adaptive track for wheelchair users and a dedicated learn–to–ride area for younger and new riders.
They stress that they are “just two local mums trying to make the community a better place” and want to show that Burntwood matters too.
For more information about the campaign is available in the Facebook group
