BOLTON Council has withdrawn controversial plans to build a cycle track on a playing field in Breightmet.

Residents have been campaigning against proposals to build the track — complete with fencing and lighting — on the field at Newhouse Farm.

The council intended to build the facility to increase cycling and provide a community hub for the town’s growing cycle and fitness clubs.

But residents living nearby — particularly those in Brodick Drive — argued the track would affect their privacy and comfort with the proposed steel fence around the track measuring 1.2 metres the majority of the way round — but reaching three metres in one section.

There were also concerns raised about traffic issues and the prospect of losing a well-used green space to a facility that could be a target for vandals.

The campaign reached a crescendo earlier this month when 80 local people joined a protest on the playing field, urging the council to reconsider.

Council chiefs had planned to hold a public meeting on the issue next month — but have now withdrawn the application outright.

A spokesman said the plans had been pulled while the authority “considers all options”.

Brodick Drive resident Adam Rowinski, one of the main campaigners, said: “We are all over the moon to hear that common sense has prevailed and the application has been withdrawn.

“We as residents are not against the idea of a community cycle track — but this was a bizarre choice of location and a wrong choice.

“The whole thing has caused a lot of anger among local people because we felt we were not being listened to — so that is why we held the protest and contacted the press and also emailed every councillor about it.”

While it appears those efforts have indeed borne fruit, it should be noted that similar plans for the site were withdrawn last year, before the latest scheme was resubmitted.

Mr Rowinski added: “We all just hope this is now the end of it.”