Riders still using BMX track despite its 'closure'

A BMX track on a playing field in East Yorkshire which is officially closed to the public is still being used.

Cottingham Parish Council said a report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) deemed the site unsafe due to alterations made by users over the years, with routes crossing each other.

The track has been in use on King George V Playing Fields since 2008 but the council said concerns raised by the RoSPA could be remedied only with major realignment of the routes.

It said it had been working to get a quote from a specialist contractor but could not proceed with any plans until a decision had been made on a funding application made to East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Michelle Scholes said she still took her son to the site despite the closure because children are "all here together, enjoying it together, and they look after each other".

"I think it's ridiculous. It's in better quality than it's been in the last few years. To my knowledge there have not been any accidents," she said.

"It says it's closed, but there's access [and] there's a big open space they can go through.

"It's the summer holidays. They should be allowed to come here every day and enjoy the summer."

East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member Nick Coultish said that given the level of funding requested, "it's important that appropriate due diligence is undertaken before a decision is made".

But he added that the proposed improvements were considered to be a "positive use of... funding" and would provide "an enhanced recreational facility for young people and the wider community".

Gary Cooper, another local resident, said: "We've got kids on here with placards saying 'Save Our Summer'.

"They're fed up, they're bored, they're frustrated, their parents are frustrated, because there isn't a great deal of information coming out."

He added that children had been using the track "safely" and "wisely, because most of these kids here are fairly experienced riders and they know what they're doing".

William, 11, said he went to the track every day and enjoyed the ability to "have free time".

His brother George, seven, added that the site meant "a lot" to him.

"It's just really fun because I can play out with my friends," he said.

Older brother Edward, 11, said people complained when they used their bikes on the streets, so going to the track meant they can "learn new tricks" and "enjoy the time".

Their mum, Kelly, said she was upset when she saw the track was closed.

"It's just a place for them to go, to be with friends," she said.

Kelly added that it was more dangerous for her children to bike on roads than on the track.

"We live down a very small street which is also known for cars driving up the side of the street."

Kelly said she understood the need for the track to be safe, but urged the council to "hurry up".

"Especially over the six weeks holidays where they want to be out, they want to be active, not stuck indoors on their games. It's a healthy choice," she added.

The parish council said: "We share the community's frustration about the length of time these projects take.

"We recognise there are processes to go through and hope to receive a response from East Riding of Yorkshire Council soon."

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