Immediately after London 2012, the OPLC are set to build a one mile road cycle circuit and around eight kilometres of mountain bike trails around the existing Velodrome and BMX Track which will host many of Britain's medal hopefuls next year.

The OPLC's plans have been agreed on by British Cycling, Sport England and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, who will own and operate the VeloPark after the Games.

"These top class outdoor cycling facilities will add to the already impressive Velodrome to create a complete cycling complex that will appeal to a wider range of riders and spectators," said Andrew Altman, the chief executive of the OPLC.

"Our plans also include the creation of a new park space with attractive waterways and open spaces for everyone to enjoy.

"It is another example of how plans for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park are more advanced than any previous host Olympic City."


The VeloPark will sit in the north of the Olympic Park, while the road cycle circuit will cross the River Lea in two places and be framed in the south by wetlands, park spaces and tow paths for walkers and cyclists to enjoy.

The plans will also create a new park for Hackney which can host small scale events.

"We're delighted to lend our support to the plans which, if passed, will provide a yet another fantastic facility for cyclists," said Ian Drake, the chief executive of British Cycling.

"Such facilities are essential if we're to continue to attract more people to the sport and this will be a legacy from 2012 in which we can all take great pride."

The road cycle circuit, which replaces the old Eastway Cycle Circuit, features a series of loops to the west of the Velodrome and a large single loop to the east of the venue.

The circuit is engineered to provide a variety of right and left turns, straights, rises and falls along its route.

It has been laid out so several shorter sections of the track can also be used, while the circuit can be lit to enable night-time use and competition.

Meanwhile, the mountain bike trails form a loop which runs from the north east corner of the Olympic Park, past the Velodrome and heads north under the A12 to East Marsh.

From there it runs eastwards through Eton Manor and then back under the A12.

"It is fantastic that all those inspired by next year's Games will be able to get back on their bikes and access the first-class facilities on offer at VeloPark, including the outdoor tracks," said Sport England chairman Richard Lewis.

"From budding track cyclists, BMX riders and families who want a day out on their bikes, the VeloPark will ensure a lasting participation legacy beyond London 2012."


The OPLC will also regrade the Games-time BMX track in the north east of the Park after the Games to complete the package of public outdoor facilities.

In addition, the plans provide a pedestrian path connecting the Velodrome to Waltham Forest in the north.

"This is a significant step forwards for Lee Valley VeloPark which we are confident will become the finest hub for cycling in the world with four disciplines on offer to cyclists of all levels," added Shaun Dawson, the chief executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

"We've already put in the foundations to ensure Lee Valley VeloPark will be busy 52 weeks a year delivering a solid cycling legacy to the whole community – clubs, schools, elite cyclists and spectators."

Plans for the VeloPark have been created by a design team including Hopkins Architects Practice and LDA Hargreaves who designed the Velodrome and the Olympic parklands respectively.

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