Row over motorbike track rumbles on

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14: Environmental group Best last night hit back at Government over claims the group had ‘misinformed the public’ about plans to create a motorbike track near Astwood Park.

Chairman Stuart Hayward rejected accusations, which he said were made during a radio interview with Government representatives, that BEST had been alarmist and given out misinformation.

Mr Hayward maintained the group had been correct to describe the potential project site as ‘farmland at Astwood Park’.

And he said that a scrambling track is an inappropriate use of Parkland, according to Parks Legislation: “The original purchase was of a single site occupying land on both sides of South Road, named Astwood Park.

“Also, the Bermuda Plan 2008 designates the entire area as Astwood Park. Had we referred to it as anything else it could have been confusing.

Farmland

“Our press release specified “the northern segment of Astwood Park”, a technically correct designation that could be misunderstood but was clearly not misinformation.

“The farmer who actually farmed that plot in the 70s and 80s confirmed to BEST that all that northern segment of the park was farmed.

“We restrict everyday developers from encroaching on farmland and there is every reason to protect public arable tracts.”

Earlier this week the Ministry of Public Works released a seven-point press release in relation to the project.

It stated: “The park is being used for the mini scramblers for the younger kids – not the larger motocross cycles. And it said: “The park will only be used from 4 to 6 pm from Monday to Friday.

“This will be on a one year trial basis with a view to assess the programme thereafter. The organizers have agreed to stop the programme at any point during the evening should the area residents express any concerns.”

Last night Best called on Government to set out what criteria would be used to assess whether the programme would continue after a year and state when the programme would be made available to the public.

The group’s statement added: “BEST is encouraged to discover that there is widespread public concern and care for Bermuda’s public Parklands in general and Astwood Park in particular.

“More and more of our citizens are recognizing that Bermuda’s parks are a precious resource that belong to us all. Our initial media release served its purposes; a)to alert the public to a potential environmental threat and b)to engage foresight on the problems that might arise if the scheme was followed through to worst-case conclusion.”