The designers who created Newtown’s BMX pump track will be reviewing the facility for possible safety improvements after an accident involving a child which left him needing 10 stitches.

According to the report that was presented to Newtown Town Council in May, a young boy was going up and down the bike track in March this year, when he came to one of the bumps at the back of the track, fell forward, coming off his bike and striking his head against the middle fence post.

The bike rider was reportedly wearing his helmet but struck the fence post at an awkward angle, catching him above the eyebrow and leaving a “very nasty cut”.

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The rider’s mother then took him to Newtown Hospital before being sent to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital who then transferred him to Princess Royal Hospital in Telford to see a specialist.

The child had to be sedated and was given 10 stitches.

Newtown Town Council’s operations manager has passed the details of the incident, as well as accompanying photos, onto the specialist designers who created the park.

The designers have been asked to review the layout of the BMX pump track, thoroughly analyse the situation and assess any potential safety improvements that can be made to prevent similar accidents in the future.

A spokesperson for Newtown Town Council stated: “Their expertise will enable us to evaluate the positioning of the fencing and consider if adjustments are necessary to ensure the safety of riders.”

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Funding was secured by Open Newtown for a BMX Pump Track in conjunction with plans for a Mountain Bike Trail on Trehafren Hill in 2019.

Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council and The National Lottery Community Fund provided the money for the track and Sport Wales have provided funding for the mile long Mountain Bike Trail at the Trehafren hill site.

The track was constructed alongside a playpark in 2020 as the two facilities were joint projects when it came to acquiring funding, with work temporarily halted by the Covid-19 pandemic.