Villagers in Bramcote have hit out at off-road bikers, describing the situation as 'really dangerous'. Nottinghamshire Police have been patrolling the area and other known hotspots to try and deter people from using off-road motorcycles in an illegal and dangerous manner.
According to locals, Bramcote Hills Park Woodland is a hotspot for bikers. Julie Adams, who usually walks her dog Heidi in the woods, says it can be dangerous.
“I’ve got a little dog and I was walking up Bramcote Woods and there was a lady with a little girl," she said. "Two mountain bikes came flying through the middle, almost knocking over the little girl. My dog was barking and I said that they’re not allowed to be here, they said they were. The lady was really shaken up and the little girl was only three or four.
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"A lot of people say it’s the same, especially at the weekends, there are groups of them. It’s really dangerous. It’s a public path and they shouldn’t be using it as a racing track. The dogs are terrified with the squeaky wheels.”
Another dog walker who didn’t want to be named also said it was an issue. “I’ve seen them before," they said. "When it’s in a public space I do understand the dangers.
"I don’t really have a problem with it if it’s somewhere they can legally do it. When it’s a public space with lots of dogs and people walking, it’s off-putting. You can hear them, it does get noisy.”
Nottinghamshire Police shared pictures of the hotspots on social media, one being the former Bramcote Golf Course, on Thoresby Road, Bramcote.
Stan Heptinstall, 76, retired former local councillor, told Nottinghamshire Live that he wasn't aware of the issues at the golf course, but said it was nothing new for the area, particularly near Moor Lane.
Mr Heptinstall said: “I’m not aware of it here. I do walk across it - the place that I do see off-road bikes is at the school playing fields. That’s where I do see it. It’s quite steep here, I can’t imagine they can get up there.
“I can imagine that the noise they do make would disturb the people that live around the golf course. This is not something that is new. I used to be a local councillor and at intervals, they were always causing an issue, particularly at the school playing fields.”
Resident, Surjit Sandhu, aged 67, said: “The look of the golf course is a mess. It is what it is - when you've got a vacant place next door they’re going to use it. What can you do?”
Richard Dinsdale, 74, said that he hasn’t noticed the bikers near Thoresby Road but he has seen them elsewhere in the area.
Mr Dinsdale said: “I haven’t heard of it - I normally walk on it, but I haven't seen any bikers. Usually, I see people walking by themselves or with dogs.
“Obviously they shouldn't be doing it, there’s another pathway that extends off Moor Lane, it’s a footpath and I’ve noticed them down there but occasionally. They shouldn’t be doing it.”
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