Put brakes on quad bikers plea (From Halesowen News)
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Put brakes on quad bikers plea
12:07pm Wednesday 25th February 2009 in News
Pictured left to right: Councillor Lesley Faulkner, fellow Halesowen North councillor Geoff Hill and Tory parliamentary candidate James Morris.
Reckless quad bikers tearing through a Halesowen beauty spot and are at risk of injuring someone according to a concerned councillor.
Halesowen North councillor Lesley Faulkner said people are zooming through Coombs Wood Green Wedge on the bikes and on a couple of occasions have almost hit people.
The area is used by families, dog walkers and ramblers using the well known Monarch's Way footpath.
She said the issue was raised by residents of Gorsty Hill and Stewart Road at a recent PACT Police and Communities Together meeting.
They want the anti-social practise stamped out.
Cllr Faulkner said: "I'm very concerned about it - this area is a local site of interest for nature conservation and is well used by ramblers, children and dog walkers.
"These riders are not only putting members of the public at risk, they are putting themselves at risk.
"It's illegal and I want people to help the police stamp out this dangerous behaviour.
"The public should ring police and report it when they see these bikes on the wedge and if they can do safely should take registration details."
Cllr Faulkner said the area is also a nesting ground for skylarks and hopes the birds will not be put off returning this Spring.
She said she gave details of a trailer carrying three quad bikes given to her by a member of the public and had been told police had traced the vehicle and warned the owner if he is caught using the bkes in the area again his vehicles could be seized.
Pc John Bartoszewicz, of Halesowen Neighbourhood Policing Team, said scramblers or quad bike drivers using them in an anti-social manner can be warned and if use continues police have the power to seize vehicles.
He said: "Coombs Wood is an area of common land and therefore anyone riding bikes there are doing it without the permission of the land owners."
He added: "We would appreciate any information from the public or residents regarding nuisance caused by off road bikes.
"Registration numbers and times of day would be ideal as long as the public do not put themselves at risk when obtaining this information."
Anyone who spots quad bikes in the area can call police on 0845 1135000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
