Lee Valley velodrome to install barrier after 2022 crash

A perspex barrier will be fitted around the Lee Valley VeloPark velodrome following a horrifying crash at the venue during the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

A high-speed collision involving several riders resulted in England’s Matt Walls being catapulted over the side of the track and into the crowd with his bike, with cyclists and spectators sustaining injuries.

The incident led to calls from Sir Chris Hoy and Dame Laura Kenny for improvements to velodrome safety.

The London venue will install a 1.4 metre-high barrier, costing £250,000, around the track later this month.

In a statement, Lee Valley said the barrier is “a UK first for an existing velodrome and is believed to be only the third of its kind in the world to be retrofitted”.

It added that cycling’s world governing body, the UCI, was consulted on the design of the barrier, which it says will improve rider and spectator safety as well as providing better visibility through the transparent screen for fans sitting at lower levels.

It comes as part of £750,000 of improvements to the venue that are scheduled to be completed by the end of August.

Walls, the Isle of Man’s Matt Bostock and Canada’s Derek Gee went to hospital after the crash on the final lap of a qualifying heat for the men’s scratch race, but none of them sustained major injuries.

Spectators were also injured, with one requiring surgery for a serious arm injury.