BMX park closed due to 'continuous vandalism'

A popular BMX park has been closed due to "continuous vandalism".

Holes have been dug out beneath the track at Kingsway BMX Pump Track, making it unsafe for use, Gloucester City Council said.

Council chiefs have temporarily locked the gates and said the damage came after "continuous vandalism", having previously shut it in summer 2025 for the same reason.

Jacquie Webster, clerk of Quedgeley Town Council, said: "I just hope that, if the city council are able to reopen it, that people will appreciate this facility on their doorstep and look after it and use it."

Gloucester City Council, which is responsible for the public space, said its parks inspector first reported the issue in June 2025.

The council paid for repairs multiple times, but a spokesperson said more damage was found after each reinspection.

It was closed in July and tarmac was put down in a bid to tackle vandalism, and the BMX park reopened in October.

But on Tuesday, the council confirmed it had to close the site for a second time.

"Unfortunately, some users have dug out holes beneath the track which has made it unsafe to use once again, so we've had to lock the gates temporarily," a council spokesperson said.

Webster said the previous closure caused "a lot of disappointment amongst the younger generation that like to go there".

"We were pleased that it was reopened again and it's disappointing to see similar problems are now being encountered," she said.

"We can only appreciate the ongoing vandalism that city council has to endure; it costs a lot of money for the taxpayer and it's unnecessary and closes a well-used BMX track that's well loved."

While the BMX track is the city council's responsibility, Webster said the town council "would be happy to work with them to try and help".

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