Young bikers block digger from 'destroying' jumps

13 hours ago

Matthew LockwoodBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire

News image — Flynn, 12, said the bike park in Hodgemoor Woods was a place to "decompress"

DUNCAN HILL/BBC Flynn stands on the bike park in front of a bulldozer. The area is surrounded by dense green woodland, with large trees arching overhead and casting dappled shadows across the ground. — Flynn, 12, said the bike park in Hodgemoor Woods was a place to "decompress"

Young bike riders have staged a protest in front of a digger over changes to a park they said they had been enjoying for years.

Forestry England said dirt jumps at Hodgemoor Woods, near Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, needed to be "reduced and re-profiled" to avoid "serious injury".

The site was closed last year, but youngsters have continued to use it because it was not fenced off.

Flynn, 12, is one of the young protesters and he said: "It's really upsetting seeing the jumps being destroyed where we learnt to ride."

"With my autism and ADHD, it is an amazing spot to decompress, relax and do the thing I love most with my friends," Flynn added.

Forestry England said that no material was removed from the site, which it has managed since 2016, last week.

The jumps have been there for about 25 years.

DUNCAN HILL/BBC Walter is sitting on a raised dirt bank with arms crossed. He is wearing a light-coloured T-Shirt and dark shorts. — Walter, 14, said the jumps beat sitting on a computer all day

'Beats sitting on a computer'

Riders claimed little explanation had been given about the risks of still using the dirt jumps.

Walter, 14, also took part in the protest.

"I feel strongly about the bike park and think it's wrong destroying such a strong social community for me and my friends," he said.

"I come here every day knowing I'm going to have a great time with my mates and enjoy the outdoors. It beats sitting on a computer all day."

Forestry England said that due to the dirt ramps age and condition, "repair was not a practical option", and that further work was needed to make the area safe.

"We want people to enjoy cycling safely in the forests we care for, while also protecting this special woodland and its wildlife," it added.

"Cyclists are welcome to use the bridleways and permissive horse trails at Hodgemoor Woods and we hope to share more about our plans later this year."

Riders said the digger had not returned to the site on Friday and vowed to continue using the bike park despite the risks identified.