THE developer behind plans for a new multi-million-pound race track in Co Tyrone has downplayed reports that the project could be facing delays.
The ambitious Lake Torrent project in Coalisland is due to host a World Superbike event next year, but concerns have emerged that the track may not be ready in time.
Progress appears to have slowed due to planning issues and tests relating to old mine shafts on the clay pit site, the Tyrone Courier reported.
It has also been reported that World Superbike bosses have met with officials at Donington race track in England to discuss contingency plans should Lake Torrent not be ready.
However, David Henderson of Manna Developments, the company behind the £30 million project, said they are "still aiming for completion in 2019".
"We have now completed the preparatory groundworks stage of the project – a massive phase which involved importing soil to cover the huge 153-acre site," he said in a statement.
"Within our planning permission, there were a number of conditions to be met, which is normal on a project of this scale.
"We believe we have fulfilled these conditions at our end and now await approval before we can move on to the next phase of construction of the race circuit and associated infrastructure.
"We had hoped to have progressed to this next phase by now but delays are not uncommon on a multi-million pound project of this size and we are still aiming for completion in 2019."