Makeover for Summerseat pump track

The pump track in Summerseat, created by local children, is soon to get a makeover thanks to Summerseat Village Collective, working alongside Bury Council and Community Interest Company Proffitts – Investing in Communities.

Renovation of the pump track is part of a wider project taking place over several years to improve Summerseat Island and make it more accessible. Over time the site will be turned into a haven for nature and recreation, celebrating the natural heritage of the site.

For the pump track element of the project, the team are working with specialists from Dirt Factory to oversee its redesign and renovation.

Work will start in September and will be completed by the end of October 2025. Works will involve reshaping the existing mounds and berms, resurfacing and adding some signage.

Emma Speed from the Summerseat Village Collective, a team of local residents and volunteers leading on the project, said: ‘’The pump track is going to be a great facility for people once again. It’ll be designed to be both a playground and a training facility for mountain and BMX bikers of all skill levels and ages. Users can practise very basic skills like improving balance and building speed, or they can try more challenging jumps and tricks on the track too.’’

Before work on site begins, the team from Dirt Factory will be running some workshops for local children and residents to find out more about the plans.

There will be two sessions at Summerseat Primary School for the local school children. On Saturday 19 July, between 11am and 2pm, there will be a drop-in session at the site of the old track for anyone that is interested. To find us, walk under the viaduct, through the gate and head down the path – you’ll see us on the right. What3words:///lend.cakewalk.learn.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: “Everyone is welcome to come along to the drop-in on 19 July. This will be a great opportunity to meet and put questions to the experts from Dirt Factory. They’ll also be sharing how to ride a pump track and how riding bike tracks is great for health, fun and confidence. Pictures and videos of their previous projects will be available too – so do come along to take a look.’’

For more information and a copy of the improvement masterplan for Summerseat Island visit:

https://www.proffittscic.com/community-projects/summerseat-island-bury/?swcfpc=1

ENDS

Press release issued: 16 July 2025.

Notes for editors:

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.