Hog Hill update

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

[quote]hi
Had a meeting with LDA, Redbridge and BC last night.

We're gettig really close to an opening on Hog Hill, and I hope to have a definite date for you which will be in March. Redbridge have to do their bit to make sure the circuit is managerially readied as well as the physical features we need to be there.

Timings look like this:
March - Temporary clubhouse, parking, loos and access open on Weekends to upper circuit and some off-road during (early? ) March.
April - Proper clubhouse, car parks, access road, more off-road down into the lower field with full time opening during April.
April > Sept - Newt-collection and construction continues on the lower field where a new contractor's compound has been made

The upper circuit is already complete with its wearing course of tarmac all finished but there's more to do than this.

Ian Warby, Kelvin Hoy and Tony Williams are doing the off-road elements for users with on-site work to be done as they follow a digger doing the excavations needed for trail-making. The aim is to have the first stage of the trails ready right the way down into the lower field at about the time of the clubhouse completion, but some off-road will be available from the outset.

The clubhouse is well under way. It is roofed and has the exterior blockwork on, with windows to go in next. Gas and electricity, water supply and drainage are complete. Everything is right on-target for the April opening.
When we first get on the circuit - whenever that is in March - the clubhouse will still be under construction so the circuit will only be open on weekends with a temporary clubhouse, access and parking.

Access gates are TBC but will include an openable height restrictor set back from the road, such as we have come to expect at such facilities everywhere. It's generally felt that the inconvenience for those with bike racks is outweighed by the need to keep out unwanted 'visitors' with large vehicles who might not want to leave at the end of each day.

CCTV on the permanent car park has come at the insistence of LB Redbridge and will be under the surveillance of their full-time security control centre.

The new electricity sub-station is complete (Vast cost, only way to get power on-site and resolve issues of existing line-runs)

LDA has proposed that the meetings will now change to being chaired by Redbridge as they and their nominated management trust - called Vision - come to take over the facility.

In regard to the emerging design on the bend and steepest part of the course, the consulting engineers have now come up with a scheme where the gradient does not exceed 10%. This has been achieved on-plan by means of an embankment which ramps-up the lower part. This is now approved.
The other spur from linking the lower circuit and the upper is under review to ensure running in either direction is possible.

One container of bikes will be moved from Docklands so that some kind of bike hire will be on offer from the outset.

LDA has agreed with BC that The Royals in Docklands will remain open and funded until the full 2km circuit comes available on Hog Hill. Early September should be the latest for this, though some time during August should be possible - Nobody's making any promises about when the newts will have been collected for construction to recommence.

Redbridge is appointing a manager sometime during the next week, and will then be in a position to start calendaring and setting out the conditions and costs of hire. Organisers and clubs wanting to make circuit bookings will be told the best way in which to make them in due course.

So, we will be making an announcement with Redbridge and BC when the circuit is readied for you. Please don't go there before.

Amazing to think it's nearly all there for us! Bring it on!

See you up there soon!

Michael Humphreys
chair, Eastway Users Group
07970 260911

[MattD]

Great news - Any idea of the liklely programs to be run at either Hog Hill / Docklands at the start of the season ? - I'm based in the City and still like many looking for a race series to replace Eastway on Thurs eve !

[-Adam-]

Where actually is the Hog Hill circuit then?

[Andrew G]

Hainault, I think it's going to look like this when all of it is finished, but opened bit by bit as the newts are moved.
[url]http://www.lda.gov.uk/upload/pdf/Hog_Hill_Illustrative_Masterplan1.pdf[/url]