Fed up residents living close to a park where they say antisocial behaviour happens '24/7' have had enough. A popular spot for dog walkers in Arnold, those who use Church Lane Recreation Ground say it has been "overrun" by off-road bikers who have been tearing across the park - reportedly for some time.
Residents have claimed that the speed of the vehicles is "frightening" and that their beloved local park is being "destroyed" as a result of the behaviour of others. Others have stopped walking their dogs the recreation ground.
Councillor Michael Payne, deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council, who represents Redhill for Labour on the local authority, said that residents were "at the end of their tether" with the issue. And local residents - including James Cleverly, 47, who works in retail and lives nearby - say it's been an issue for some time.
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"A lot of the grass is torn to shreds because of it," said Mr Cleverly. "It's clearly not an area that motorbikes should be forcing their way through and destroying. It never used to be this bad but it causes such a racket and it's messed the grass up a lot.
"It is just a matter of time before someone gets hurt. Lots of people walk their dogs there and it's an accident just waiting to happen.
"I dread to think what could happen when we get into the summertime if this carries on. There's going to be a lot more people than you have on a day like this. Some sort of fine or ban on this sort of thing needs to be put in place."
Stewart Barrett, 56, who lives opposite the park, said: "They're [bikers] a nuisance. I don't know how long it's going to take before they're driven away because it's been going on for ages.
"I don't go over there now - I've stopped. It's a shame because you see graffiti, littering; all sorts of things that have just put me off. The antisocial behaviour is 24/7. And now the park has been overrun by, you know, a minority of people that have just made it a bad experience for everyone else living here."
Councillor Michael Payne, who also represents Arnold North for Labour on Nottinghamshire County Council, took to Facebook to vent his frustration at the antisocial behaviour. He said that robust action was needed to put a stop to the "dangerous and unacceptable behaviour."
Councillor Payne wrote: "The antisocial and dangerous driving of motorcycles on St Mary’s Rec is unacceptable. There is a persistent problem within antisocial behaviour being caused by the dangerous driving of motorcycles across Church Lane/St Mary's Recreation Ground in the borough ward and county council division I represent (Redhill/Arnold North).
"This recreation ground is surrounded by residential properties - local residents are rightly fed up with this dangerous and unacceptable behaviour. Residents are at the end of their tether with this issue and it needs urgent and robust action to put a stop to it."
Elsewhere across the borough people have spoken about problems with speeding motorbikes across Gedling. Meanwhile, there are also measures in place to tackle illegal car meets taking place across the borough.
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