'Trying time' for runners over track revamp delay

Works to improve an ageing athletics facility at a school were stopped in their tracks due to "unforeseen and complex issues" but could resume next year, the BBC understands.

In January, Suffolk County Council pledged to invest £350,000 in Northgate Sports Centre in Ipswich, which has been run by Northgate High School since April.

Funded through the council's Ipswich Investment Fund, the money was earmarked to improve the tired running track - which has not been resurfaced for 25 years.

Work was meant to get under way in the summer, but the BBC has been told it was postponed after "technical difficulties" were encountered at the start. One athletics club has called it a "trying time".

Alison Beech is the vice president of the Ipswich JAFFA Running Club, which had to move its sessions off the track to a section of field at the start of July.

"As I understand it, the plan to relay the track didn't happen as the project encountered unforeseen and complex issues and technical difficulties," she said.

"As a result, the track remained closed considerably longer than anyone had anticipated and what we believe is that the whole project will come again in 2027."

The investment was announced under the previous Conservative-run council, which Reform UK took control of after ending the Tories' 20-year reign in May.

As well as JAFFA, the track, which Beech said provided a "safe, traffic-free environment for training", is also used by the Orwell Panthers and Ipswich Harriers.

In a social media post, published by Ipswich Harriers and seen by the BBC, the club, also said it expected the track would be "relayed next summer".

"This has been a trying time for us all," it said.

Despite no work being carried out on the track, which Beech added was "showing its age", athletics clubs were still not initially permitted to return.

"It was immensely frustrating to lose the use of it for no good outcome and we tried to keep things going as best we could, but our numbers probably halved," added Beech.

"We fully recognise this has been a complex situation, although naturally we became increasingly concerned as the closure continued without a clear reopening date."

Throughout the closure, JAFFA, which boasts about 400 members, including nearly 100 juniors, had been in regular dialogue with Northgate, the council and contractors.

On Monday, the club and other groups were told some minor repairs would need to be carried out, but the track had been deemed safe enough for them to return.

Beech, who ran in every lane of the track ahead of members returning to make sure it was safe, said it was "wonderful" to see runners back training there.

"We are very grateful to everyone who has worked to find a way forward and enable the clubs to return," said Beech.

"We now look forward to the full resurfacing project progressing so that this important community sporting facility has a secure future."

Suffolk County Council, Northgate High School, and England Athletics have been contacted for comment.

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