Work to upgrade the North Trail mountain biking route at Philips Park, Whitefield, has begun, Bury Council and the Nationwide Cycling Academy have confirmed.

The project is designed to boost rider safety, improve the trail's flow and make the surface more resilient throughout the year. Planned measures include new signage and waymarkers to aid navigation, trimming back overhanging branches and vegetation that pose hazards, and drainage improvements to keep conditions more consistent in wet weather.

Sections of the route will also be refreshed with new rollers, selected drops will be rebuilt for smoother transitions, and some jumps will be reshaped to enhance ride quality and help users progress their skills.

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Mike Bent, parks and countryside manager at Bury Council, said the works reflect the trail's growing popularity and the need to maintain high-quality outdoor facilities for local people. He added: “"Philips Park is a fantastic green space that’s enjoyed by people from across Bury and beyond, and the trails here have become a really popular destination for mountain bikers of all abilities. These improvements will make the trail safer, more sustainable and even more enjoyable to ride. We thank visitors for their patience while the work takes place."

Julie Woodruff from the Nationwide Cycling Academy team, based in the park, said: "It's brilliant to see investment going into the North Trail. Facilities like this are incredibly important for developing riders of all ages and abilities, and these upgrades will make a real difference to the experience on the trail. The new features and improvements will help riders progress their skills while keeping the trail safe and sustainable for the future. We appreciate people’s patience while the work is carried out and look forward to welcoming riders back to an improved trail in a few weeks' time."

The programme is expected to run until mid-April 2026. During the works, some sections may need to close temporarily, and visitors are asked to take extra care as contractors will be on site.