A £1m velodrome will be included in plans for an £18m “sports village” based at the Prissick Base site in Middlesbrough. Work to build the sports village, located off Marton Road, is scheduled to start in April 2014 and is reported to include a 400m athletics track, tennis courts and a gym.

The Olympic standard velodrome, which is being funded by a partnership between Middlesbrough Council and British Cycling, is expected to be completed by spring 2015 and will complement the existing 1km cycle circuit at the site.

Tony Hodgson, chair of British Cycling for the North East said: “A new velodrome for aspiring track cyclists inspired by the exploits of our Olympians is tremendous news for the sport in the North East.

“The region has been without such a facility for too long, with all of our youth track development taking place far away, either in Manchester or Glasgow, at considerable cost to local people.”

Middlesbrough has been without cycling facilities like this for a number of decades. Its first and only velodrome and athletics track, Cleveland Park Stadium, was opened in 1963 by the Duke of Edinburgh. Nowadays it is known as Clairville Stadium and sadly it hasn’t hosted cycling events for many years. It celebrated its 50th anniversary last summer despite being earmarked for closure as part of Middlesbrough Council’s budget cuts.

Mr Hodgson added: “The board of British Cycling North East are determined to help the council make this fantastic new facility a success, whether it is in supporting existing riders in training and competition, or new riders wishing to experience the thrills of riding a banked track.”

The Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, also welcomed the announcement , saying: “It is essential that the Middlesbrough Sports Village has the sort of facilities we know people want, and the inclusion of a velodrome has been high on the agenda from day one.”

“The aim from the outset has been to create an iconic sports destination of regional significance, and the velodrome will help to ensure it is a centre that attracts people from Middlesbrough and beyond for many years to come.”