Bikers ‘endangering’ coastal park

Bikers ‘endangering’ coastal park
Motorbike and quad bike riders who are illegally using a new £430,000 coastal park in Cumbria for scrambling are being targeted in a new campaign.
There are fears they are endangering the public and threatening some of the unique wildlife in the Maryport park.

Police warn that driving off-road is an offence under Section 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and could lead to vehicles being seized.

They are asking members of the public to report any unauthorised riders.

Sergeant Richard Thompson of Cumbria Police said: “Any offences committed there will be dealt with as a priority, and individuals using motorised bikes or quads on the land can be given an on-the-spot fixed penalty of £30.

Important habitat

“If the vehicles are uninsured then it could result in far bigger fines or even imprisonment.”

The area is recognised as an important habitat for several species of plants such as the purple broomrape and pyramidal orchids, and is also home to colonies of Britain’s smallest butterfly, the Small Blue.

Jason Dixey, project manager with Cumbria County Council’s land reclamation team, said: “A great deal of consultation has been carried out with organisations such as Cumbria Wildlife Trust, English Nature and the Butterfly Conservation Society to protect this important habitat while opening up the area for people to enjoy.

“Too much hard work has gone into this project to allow a few unthinking and selfish scramblers to threaten the local flora and fauna.”