THE campaign to have an indoor velodrome built as a legacy from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games was given a boost as a local MP announced his backing for the initiative.

MP Ian Austin, who was elected as a Labour MP but recently broke off from the party to become an independent, has given his full support to the proposals.

Campaigners have been fighting to have a velodrome built in the West Midlands for over a year now, ever since it was announced that track cycling for the 2022 Games would be hosted in London due to the facilities available there.

So far a petition supporting the construction of a legacy velodrome for the region has gathered nearly 7,500 signatures, with copies handed to both West Midlands mayor Andy Street and Birmingham council leader Ian Ward in the past few months.

And now Mr Austin has also added his voice to the debate, stating: “As independent member of Parliament for Dudley North and a parent, I give my full support to the campaign to have an indoor velodrome built as a legacy of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

“As a keen cyclist myself I fully understand the great benefits a multi-sport indoor venue would bring, not only for cycling but for the many sports, including sports for disabled and sight impaired, which could take part within the track centre.

“I have no hesitation in asking British Cycling and Sport England to support having this incredibly important facility.”

Responding to the news that a member of Parliament had given his backing to the plans, lead campaigner David Viner said: “The race for a West Midlands Velodrome is still on.”

You can find the petition here: goo.gl/RrPdSp