In 1973, Whitchurch Athletics Track opened, and for many years, countless up-and-coming athletes from South Bristol and the wider area trained and achieved great success through the facilities it offered. 

Today, it stands empty of athletes, empty of competition, and offering no opportunity to the local athletes of the future. We want to change this and not only see the track fully restored but also used to benefit the community and wider area for present and future generations. 

Regenerating Whitchurch Athletics Track will provide a much-needed space for physical activity, fostering talent in young athletes while promoting health and well-being in our community.

Please sign this petition to support our proposal to regenerate Whitchurch Athletics Track.

(Added 22nd May)

Since launching the petition just under a week ago we have seen a huge amount of support come forward. This has been from athletes both past and present, coaches, club ambassadors, local activists and only today Bristol Bears and England International Rugby forward Ellis Genge. 

Although we are only at the proposal stage currently, it is clear to see that the track holds many memories for those who remember its past and hopes for those who believe it has a future.

Please continue to sign and share the petition with as many as you can so we can show the track needs to stay.

Check out our our Facebook page for more information 'Whitchurch Athletics Track'.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1e4X43EDHg2jZfH7/

(Added 8th June)

It has been absolutely staggering to see the level of support we've had for this petition. I always believed that there were those who had the desire to see the track regenerated but after just over 3 weeks and over 1600 signatures now on the petition the momentum just keeps building. 

Just this past week we've had a double Olympian, Nick Rose, support our campaign with a vision to see a new generation of Olympians rise up from the same area he grew up in.

This facility is so desperately needed. Not just for athletes but also to promote health and well-being in the wider area.

We have a big vision and it is humbling to see how many of you want to see this site revived for the city and region.

Here are some of the messages that have been coming in:

'John Pearce, so great that you've put this together, as we (i.e., Southville Running Club, who use the track from the beginning of April to mid-September when the evenings are light) got some depressing replies from BCC, UK Athletics and Sport England a few years ago, but the many delays open up opportunities and possibilities to press for change, however unlikely. It could offer so much locally for young and old runners alike, as South Bristol has no athletics track (there is really only Filton, Yate and Whitehall), and this one has great potential, great traditions....and it even has a couple of basketball/netball courts. Good luck with the petition, we are sharing it wherever we can'👏✊🌈🏃‍♀️🏃. (Jim Sheeran)

'I first started training age 10 at Whitchurch . It was just amazing as a kid to train on tartan and with the floodlights it just felt magical . It’s a shame the wind as it’s built next to an airport kicks in regularly but the trees over the years helped. South Bristol needs this track . I sincerely hope it gets done . The talent is out their , good facilities attract talent …….' (Martin John Hula)

'Yes I think I was around 13 up until 40 I believe 🤔it was a great track my daughter had her first race there as well 👍I take my group up there in the holidays now and again it still works for what you need unless wet it’s very slippery 🥴 I would love to get back up there every week as I think filton the track we use now are talking about only allowing use once a week for all groups 🤷‍♂️so we need this track urgently' (Julian Emery)

'I can remember I ran on that track when it first opened..their were no houses then trained on it again in the 2000s' (Steve Hollier)

'On the subject of use for the track, my own club, Mendip AC (who compete in a composite with Bristol) would probably want to use the track as a second training venue (we are restricted to a couple of hours once a week at Millfield). I, like quite a few if our members, live in Wells and I can get to Whitchurch as quickly as I can get to Street, so it would be ideal.' (Ian Humphreys).

Thank you again for your support.