Menaces on motorbikes (From Stroud News and Journal)

Menaces on motorbikes

TEENAGERS are causing mayhem by roaring around Painswick Beacon on motorbikes.

Legal action could now be taken against the culprits if they are found to be churning up common land.

Terry Parker, chairman of Painswick Parish Council, said that besides causing environmental problems, the motorbikes are a safety hazard.

"We have had many complaints about these motorcycles, particularly from dog walkers", he said.

"I don't think the youngsters realise how dangerous these motorbikes are. "I have seen them riding around with no lights and dog walkers are just not expecting them to be there.

"One of the kids tried to reassure me that the bikes only go up to 20mph but of course a collision could still be fatal.

"We don't want to be seen as killjoys stopping these kids from having fun but what we do not want is people getting hurt."

The problem has been getting worse over the past 12-months.

Painswick Parish Council is currently trying to determine who owns the land in question.

If it is owned by a private landowner, like Lord Amerie Blow, who owns parts of the beacon, then it would be unable to act.

However, if it is common land, the council will speak to the bikers' parents to try to resolve the matter.

Mr Parker said: "We will make parents aware that this is an extremely dangerous practice but if this fails then we will have to speak to the police."

The SNJ recently reported similar problems on Minchinhampton Common.