Scrambler track draws protests

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7: Green pressure group BEST yesterday demanded that Government slam the brakes on a plan to turn part of a Warwick park into a motocross scrambling track for youngsters.

The group said it had been made aware that the northern part of the parish’s Astwood Park would be used for off-road riding by young people on mini-style bikes. But a spokesman for BEST said: “No matter what the size or power of the bikes, they will be noisy. As they are off-road bikes, they will not be bound by existing noise restrictions.”

But the Public Works Ministry countered that area residents had been canvassed about the plan and raised no objections and added that it was intended to be “a positive outlet” for youngsters.

The BEST spokesman added that erosion would be inevitable and scar the landscape at the park.

And he said that a concentration of exhaust fumes from bikes would affect residents downwind of the site, while leakages of fuel, oil and other motor fluids were likely.

The spokesman added that there was already an existing motocross site at Southside.

He said: “The proposed site for the scrambler track is a plot of arable land that has in the recent past been actively farmed to grow food.

“We support efforts within the Government to preserve and protect arable land and trust that the resolve to safeguard this precious and diminishing resource remains focused and strong.”

The spokesman added that the area would also need to be fenced off for safety reasons, while existing roadways to the site were either narrow or a main thoroughfare — all with limited parking space.

And he said: “Parks and motorbike scrambling are not compatible activities and should not be placed in close proximity.

“It does not make good sense to put a high-noise and environmentally damaging activity adjacent to a dense residential area. Communities need a rest from noise and bother, particularly in the evenings and weekends.

A Government spokesman last night confirmed that part of the park would be used for mini-bike scrambling but added that the park would only be used between 4pm and 6pm on weeknights.

The spokesman said: “The organisers have agreed to stop the programme at any point during the evening should the area residents express any concern.

“This will be on a one year trial basis with a view to assessing the programme thereafter.”