Braunton Athletics Track

Can someone explain to me why the only way you can 'legally' use Braunton Track is to buy a season long permit?

I know that most of the time you can actually just stroll up there and use it because it's easily accessible, most of those folks would also gladly pay a sensible entry fee.

I use it (and pay) but many of my friends who'd like to train with me occasionally won't/can't use what is a great running facility because of the all or nothing approach. In these days of growing obesity how the hell is this approach going to encourage anyone into sport when it's either pay in full NOW or go away?

The council have given the lease to NDAC so maybe it's just their way of being Eliteist and trying to keep a council facility all to themselves, I've no idea.

I've also heard that there are concerns about the youngsters hanging around there and concerns about the damage that could possibly be caused (if they were to get mischevious). Sooo, maybe if local athletes were encouraged to use the facility rather than discouraged it might be busier and the kids wouldn't be able to get up to whatever they get up to behind the stands.

How many people use a swimming pool through the course of a year? Would you still use that pool if you were told you had to pay upfront for 12 months of use?

Somebody please introduce a sensible pricing policy so that a council facility can be truly open to anyone without them either having to join NDAC or having to pay through the nose in advance. It's crazy.

It's a great North Devon facility. Such a pity that it's available to so few North Devon people.