Published: Friday, 24th April, 2009 12:30pm

Wheely great news for kids

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KIDS in Cardrona will be having a wheely good time practising their 'double jumps", 'table tops" and 'banks" if a new BMX track gets the go-ahead.

Cardona"s Village Hall Committee recently submitted a planning application to build a pump n" jump track at Leeburn Drive in an effort to remedy the lack of resources and facilities for kids in the area.

The idea itself came about following a meeting in the village hall last year at which youngsters in attendance expressly asked for the BMX park.

The pump n"jump park is so called because it is essentially a tight track where-on it"s unnecessary to pedal as users simply 'pump" all the various undulations for speed.

The facility can also be used by both skateboarders and inline skaters.

The village has been without any play or activity facilities for youngsters since being built in the late 1990s.

However, news of this proposed BMX park follows hot on the heels of an

announcment several weeks ago that Cardrona is also to receive a

long-awaited £20,000 children"s playpark as well as a pathway linking it to both Innerleithen and Peebles.

Cardona"s new BMX park when built will be positioned right next to this pathway along the former railway line.

Brian McCrow, Chairman of Cardona Village Hall Committee said: 'This new

facility may draw tourists into the area but we did it first and foremost for kids here in Cardrona.

'Alot of kids around here are interested in bikes thanks to Glentress and we hope that this park will only add to this.Adults sometimes don"t listen to kids but we took their views on board and also involved them in the design aspect of the park.

"I"m glad that Cardrona is finally getting some of the facilities it deserves and hope that planners give this the go-ahead.'

The BMX park proposal will be considered within the next two months by Scottish Borders Council.