Bid to get rid of bike track too expensive

A “pragmatic approach” will be taken with regard to an unauthorised bike track that has been built on council land as it would be too expensive to remove it.

Scarborough Council has said that due to the “significant cost of removal”, it will take a “pragmatic approach” and not remove an unauthorised bike track which is located on council land in the Northstead ward.

The issue was raised at a full meeting of Scarborough Council on Monday, November

7, when Cllr John Atkinson, who represents the Northstead ward, asked why the council “has not fulfilled its responsibility in maintaining the land”.

Responding to Cllr Atkinson’s question, the cabinet member for quality of life, Cllr Jim Grieve, said he was familiar with the case and that the site has been used informally for biking, with “fairly substantial ramps constructed more recently”.

He said: “On one hand, to some degree, it’s a nuisance and potential conflict between other users in the area.

“On the other hand, we have a facility that has been created by and is no doubt providing enjoyment for a local group of bikers and younger people. No doubt there would be many users who would object strongly were the council to dig out the ramps that have been constructed.”

The council was told that though the site has been used for parties and gatherings, they are “absolutely nothing connected to the bike track and facilities”.

CllrGrieveconcludedthat the authority was “taking a bit of a pragmatic view”.

He added: “Having carefully considered all the issues, we don’t feel that the costassociatedwiththephysical removal can be justified.”