Cycling activists campaigning for a new velodrome to be built in the West Midlands are preparing to hand over their petition.

The group urging people to register their support now, to help them reach 6,000 signatures before it approaches Birmingham City Council .

The campaign to build a velodrome in the region was started after Birmingham was awarded the 2022 Commonwealth Games , controversially choosing to hold cycling events at London's Lee Valley Velopark instead of constructing a venue in the West Midlands.

The council has cited a lack of time, demand and funding for its decision, insisting that hosting track cycling events outside of the region will not take away from the overall Games experience.

Sir Bradley Wiggins at the Lee Valley Velopark

However cycling campaigners disagreed, and a campaign to have a velodrome built in the West Midlands in time for Birmingham 2022 has so far garnered 5,884 signatures, as well as support from high-profile names in the world of cycling.

And, taking to Twitter this week, campaign leaders have announced that they are 'in the final stages' of handing over their petition.

"We are in the final stages of preparing the petition to hand over to Birmingham Council Leader Ian Ward," they said.

"A recent surge in numbers has been caused by the support of Richard Roach who has shared the petition amongst the Shropshire triathlon community. This support is greatly appreciated.

An artist's impression of Alexander Stadium in Birmingham after its transformation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the third time England has been chosen to host the event
An artist's impression of Alexander Stadium in Birmingham after its transformation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the third time England has been chosen to host the event

"We are now just shy of 6,000 so it would be great to break this barrier prior to the hand over.

"Please keep sharing and we will update you with news when we receive it."

You can see the petition here: https://bit.ly/2KoJ5XX