Bikers’ plea for ‘legal’ race track

BIKERS are calling for a legal race track to be built in North Wales.

Motorcyclists have spoken out after negative reports of riders wreaking havoc on illegal sites across Wrexham and Flintshire.

In recent weeks the Leader has reported complaints of motorcyclists racing on Deeside Industrial Park, Bagillt Foreshore and the Horseshoe Pass in Llangollen.

But Jeremy Richards, former chairman of the Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club, says motocross and enduro racers are forced to take to open land due to a lack of provision across North Wales.

He said: “I don’t condone riding on the Horseshoe Pass, but there’s an awful lot of participation in this sport in North Wales and there’s absolutely no where at all that we can go to practice.

“I have been involved in the sport since I was 10 years old and I’m 40 next year. In that time we have never had any help with a circuit or venue in North Wales.

“There’s acres and acres of land here, but the councils just put barrier after barrier in the way.”

The nearest legal tracks are Ellesmere Port, Preston and Birmingham.

Mr Richards, from Cefn Mawr, said until a legal site is set up in the region, bikers will continue to ride illegally.

He added: “There are guys who are willing to travel to ride in Birmingham or Preston, but there are also lots of guys who don’t want to travel, but still want to enjoy riding their motorcycle so they take to the wastelands.

“This problem will never go away until a track is built. The council just bury their head in the sand.”

Mr Richards, who owns motorcycle engineer workshop JemX Remedies in Rhosymedre, estimates 1,000 people take part in motocross and enduro events in North Wales every week.

Race meetings are held at tracks in Acrefair, Mold and Bangor-on-Dee, but the tracks are not open for practice sessions.

Mr Richards says the lack of provision is hampering the success of British competitors.

He added: “There are a lot of talented guys losing out in North Wales because of where they live - its ridiculous.”

The Deeside community has also called for a legal track to be set up at Deeside Industrial Park in a Бид to stop riders using the site illegally and to keep them safe.

Sealand councillor Chris Jones has written to Flintshire Council calling for a track to be built.

She added: “We have been asking for a legal site for them, but nobody will give them permission.

“A legal site would have all the relevant health and safety issues addressed.”

James Harrison, of the Amateur Motocross Association, added: “We have written to the council twice asking for it to be turned into a legal site.

“There are no practice sites in the area, the closest is in Ellesmere Port.”

Neal Cockerton, Flintshire Council’s head of assets and transportation, said there were no plans for a legal track to be built in Deeside.

He said: “The county council and North Wales Police are working together to develop solutions for the site which will see access further restricted.

“The site is clearly signed advising that motor vehicles are prohibited and they may be seized.

“The site is allocated for employment use within the council’s Unitary Development Plan and there are no plans to give permission for the creation of a  legally licensed motocross facility in this area.”