Urgent action needed!

On March 10th in the Bristol City Full Council meeting the Labour Party will be tabling a 'Golden Motion' arguing for the preservation of Whitchurch Athletics Track. 

'A "Golden Motion" in Bristol City Council refers to a significant policy motion submitted by a political party that is debated by all councillors, typically focusing on major strategic issues.  These motions aim to drive cross-party action and policy change.'    (Source: www.bristol.gov.uk)

We've been campaigning for the track since this petition started in May 2024 and it's now crunch time. The housing development of the track, as detailed in the Hengrove Park Masterplan, was originally scheduled for much later in the development but in a meeting recently on 23rd February we learned the following:

'The athletics track development was originally set to be constructed during Phase 8 of Goram Homes’ Hengrove Park development, with work on this years away. However, during a private briefing on 23 February 2026, the Leader of the Council who is also Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee, along with the Vice Chair of the same committee, agreed with the view of the Chief Executive to approve the formation of a joint venture arrangement, including formation of the Phase 1 LLP and associated funding arrangements for the development of Hengrove Park. This means the athletics track development will instead be built alongside Phase 1B of the development, with the land set to be handed over to developers as soon as next month.' (Source: agenda for 6/3/26 BCC full council meeting)

As you can see our campaign has made alot of waves and to shut us down, I believe, Council Officers have sped up the development of housing on the athletics track.

No track = no campaign.

Now we need to act in numbers.

There are over 6,700 of you who've signed the petition for the track to be saved and regenerated. 

You, like me, believe this track has a future.

We need you to submit statements to Bristol City Council. Imagine 6,500 statements flooding into the Council for this meeting - they would be overwhelmed!

We have put together a statement template for you to use. You can add your personal touch to it to share why you feel the track is important.

Statement Template:

Dear Councillors,

SAVE WHITCHURCH ATHLETICS TRACK AND THE FAMILY CYCLING CENTRE FOR SOUTH BRISTOL

I support the campaign to save the track. 

I urge this Council to protect Whitchurch Athletics Track and the Bristol Family Cycling Centre from demolition, ensuring South Bristol does not lose two of its most important community assets. 

In an area facing significant challenges around health, deprivation, crime and opportunity, these facilities provide vital, inclusive and diversionary activities. If we do not act now, these spaces will be permanently lost, removing essential support for health, wellbeing and positive futures in South Bristol.

I ask this Council to listen to the needs of South Bristol.

Thank you

(Signed)

When you've completed your statement, cut and paste it, and submit as follows:

1. Go to: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/council/how-council-decisions-are-made/council-meetings
2. Scroll down to: 'Ask a question or make a statement at a council meeting. You can send questions or a statement for Full Council, policy committees, and other meetings using our online form.'
3. Click on the hyperlink 'send questions or a statement'.
4. Click 'statement ' and use the scroll down menu on 'which committee is your statement for, select 'Full Council'.
5. Click 'next'.
6. Enter statement title, 'SAVE WHITCHURCH ATHLETICS TRACK AND THE FAMILY CYCLING CENTRE FOR SOUTH BRISTOL'
7. Cut and paste the statement template above (including your additional any additional information).
8. Click 'next'
9. Enter your name, address, postcode and email address
10. Click 'next'
11. Tick all the declarations
12. Click 'submit'

You should then receive a confirmation email.

Then, if able, come to Bristol City Council, City Hall, Bristol, BS1 5TR on March 10th at 6pm to read out your statement to council chamber.

Read statements have alot more power than written ones. The Councillors attending the meeting will all have an agenda pack with all the statements in but an overflowing public gallery will shout much louder.

That's alot of information but for the track project and everything we've fought for it's now time to use our numbers to oppose the Council's plans with greater magnitude.

Please join our track Facebook page where I regularly post updates and through which you can message me with any questions:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AwTHLif9L/

Please submit a statement and make the Council listen.

Thanks again for your support. 

Kind regards

John Pearce