Improvement works begin on North Trail at Philips Park, Whitefield

Bury Council and the Nationwide Cycling Academy have announced that improvement works to the popular North Trail mountain bike route within Philips Park, Whitefield have now begun.

The improvements will focus on enhancing rider safety, improving trail flow and helping the surface withstand year-round use. Planned upgrades include the installation of new signage and waymarkers to help riders stay on course, the removal of overhanging tree branches and vegetation that create hazards along the trail, and improvements to drainage to help maintain better trail conditions.

Sections of the trail will also be upgraded with new rollers, some drops will be rebuilt to create smoother transitions, and some jumps will be reshaped to improve ride quality and progression for users.

Mike Bent, parks and countryside manager at Bury Council, said the works reflect the growing popularity of the trail and the importance of maintaining high-quality outdoor facilities for the local community.

He added: “Philips Park is a fantastic green space that’s enjoyed by people from across Bury and beyond, and the trails here have become a really popular destination for mountain bikers of all abilities. These improvements will make the trail safer, more sustainable and even more enjoyable to ride. We thank visitors for their patience while the work takes place.”

Julie Woodruff from the Nationwide Cycling Academy team, based in the park, said: “It’s brilliant to see investment going into the North Trail. Facilities like this are incredibly important for developing riders of all ages and abilities, and these upgrades will make a real difference to the experience on the trail. The new features and improvements will help riders progress their skills while keeping the trail safe and sustainable for the future. We appreciate people’s patience while the work is carried out and look forward to welcoming riders back to an improved trail in a few weeks’ time.”

The works are expected to continue until mid-April 2026. During this time, some sections of the trail may need to be temporarily closed while work takes place. Visitors are asked to take care when in the area as contractors will be working on site.

If people have any questions about the project, they can contact Martin Proffitt at Proffitts (CIC) on 07989 928038 or martin.proffitt@proffittscic.com

ENDS

Press release issued: 12 March 2026.

About Proffitts Proffitts – Investing in Communities CIC is a venture with a fresh and lively approach to community-based regeneration, neighbourhood management and green space solutions. Proffitts is committed to connecting local people with local investment and give them the opportunity to improve their own communities through involvement and understanding.