Action imminent to stop off-road bikes (From Free Press Series)

Action imminent to stop off-road bikes

OFF-ROAD BIKERS could soon be facing legal action as residents of a rural Torfaen community battle to stop motorcyclists tearing up the countryside.

At a recent meeting, residents of Penyrheol met with council members and police to try and thrash out a strategy to curb the bikers' activities. The residents claim they have suffered long enough with the noise and disturbance caused by bikers trawling across Penyrheol Common and Mynydd Maen.

The area is popular with walkers and the wildlife and water courses are being altered by the erosion the tyres cause.

Following the meeting, Inspector Mark Budden said: "Gwent police have carried out operations in the past and we will continue to carry out operations in the future.

"We will continue to work closely with the local authorities and will also now take out civil injunctions on anybody transporting the bikes to the area."

The area's industrial heritage is evident on the Common and some residents are worried that industrial spoil, once covered by grass, is being exposed as bike tyres shred the greenery.

Juliet Barnes lives in the area and said: "We are concerned that old industrial spoil heaps and mine workings have been eroded so badly that they could release harmful substances. Previously it had all been naturalised as grass grew over it, but all the activity has opened it up."

At the meeting, residents were supported by AM Lynne Neagle and council members were also drafted in to help.

A council spokesman said: "We share residents' concerns about this problem and are working with the police to try and find a solution. We are going to investigate whether there are any contamination issues on this land."