School in Barton races ahead with plans for electric vehicle test track
A school in Barton-upon-Humber is racing ahead with plans for an electric vehicle (EV) test track for its students. Baysgarth School has applied for planning permission to install a 3m wide tarmac track around the perimeter of its sports field.
The test track would be used by all students at the school, integrated into their Maths, Science and Engineering lessons. The track, which it is believed would be a unique educational first, has already been supported by a pledge of £40,000 funding by North Lincolnshire Council.
The planning application for the test track states its primary purpose is to enhance the provision of the STEM Greenpower project at the school. Since 2018, pupils at the school have designed and built Greenpower electric cars.
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But they have had to travel off-site, to a track near Gainsborough, to test designs. Having the track at Baysgarth will allow young people to develop and test their designs and provide a practical hands-on way of learning.
Its proposed position on part of the school's existing playing field is to "optimise space without disrupting existing school activities". "The sports field is used minimally currently," the application says, but the track will be around the perimeter, allowing curriculum activities to continue in the centre of the field.
Motorsport UK were consulted over the track design to ensure it allows students to collect consistent data during EV tests. It is intended to be a smooth, continuous 'circular' track.
There will be straight sections to allow for acceleration tests, and curved sections to test drivers' handling performances in preparation for Greenpower events across the country. Baysgarth School students have already competed at iconic tracks including Silverstone and secured apprenticeships at some of the region's biggest employers, including Ineos.
There are no plans for lighting, with the track to be only used in normal school hours under the supervision of trained Baysgarth staff. The proposed tarmac material is also notable.
A plastic-supplemented tarmac is proposed that is manufactured by MacRebur. This uses less raw material due to the plastic additive, which means it is estimated it will save 2,200kg of CO2 compared to regular tarmac.
The plastic is also sustainably sourced, taking it out of out of the potential landfill cycle. Baysgarth School also state in the application they will aim to match the plastic needed for the track to be processed in house to create new material for student projects.
"This will be done through competitions and continued recycling efforts within the Design & Technology Engineering department," the school states. The track will be available as a whole school resource and extended beyond to wider community use, including potentially by other schools.
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Baysgarth School STEM Coordinator and project lead for the race track Andrew Browne told Construction UK Magazine earlier this summer: "The Baysgarth test track is set to be more than just a testing circuit – it’s a dynamic, multilayered investment in STEM education, regional workforce development catering for the local labour market, sustainability and community health through active lifestyles."
Community use will extend initially to athletics groups that already use other Baysgarth facilities. It is acknowledged a small amount of biodiversity will be lost due to the track's development.
This is planned to be offset by habitat enhancements offsite, including at the school's allotment area and Castledyke School. The tarmac material is semi-permeable, meaning surface water run-off will be reduced too.
The local lead flood authority (LLFA) has expressed concern about the impermeable areas that will be created. It has suggested a perforated filter drain in the track's north and west section.
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