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600 SIGN PETITION TO SAVE BIKER CLUB
BY SUZANNE HARROP [Derby Telegraph]
More than 600 people have signed a petition protesting over plans that could force a motorcycle club to close.
Burton and District Sporting Motorcycle Club has been teaching youngsters how to safely ride motorcycles on a track at Shobnall Leisure Complex for the past 10 years.
But East Staffordshire Borough Council, which rents the land to the club, is proposing to convert the track into a grass floodlit pitch, which could leave the club homeless from March.
The club has about 140 members, aged from six to 70 years old, and about 20 per cent are from Derby.
It was set up 10 years ago to stop youngsters riding motorcycles in the street.
Chairman Martin Flinders said the club had not been offered an alternative location but he was meeting the council for talks later this month.
The club, which meets on Saturdays at the track in Shobnall Road, Burton, has set up a petition, which more than 600 people have signed in a week. It is also urging people to write to their councillors.
Mr Flinders said: "We've spent £10,000 on the track over the years and it's perfect. It would be next to impossible to get another piece of land because there would be lots of issues surrounding its use as a motorcycle track, such as health and safety and insurance.
"We don't want to close the club, so we're fighting this all the way. We want to work with the council."
The club expects to get thousands of signatures on its petition and it has support from the Auto-Cycle Union, the motorcycle sport governing body, and Motorcycle Action Group, which supports riders' rights.
On Wednesday, 21-month- old Harvey Hair was left fighting for his life after he was involved in an accident while riding on a quad bike with his father on land near Shobnall Leisure Complex.
Although the incident was not related to the motorcycle club, Mr Flinders believes it highlights the need for the club.
He said: "This is exactly why we run the club - we want to teach people how to ride them safely and legally."
The club last came under threat three years ago, when the council wanted to build a skate park on the track, but funding fell through.
Mark Thornewill, the council's culture and community services manager, said the latest proposals were part of the redevelopment at Shobnall Leisure Complex. They would be funded by agreements, under which firms building in the area are required to give cash to the council as part of the planning process.
Mr Thornewill said: "It was always made clear to the club that the land would be available on a temporary basis."
Councillors will decide on the plans next month.
ACTION
Please e-mail or write via the Town Hall Burton-On-Trent
Councillor - Alex Fox - alex.fox@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
Chief Executive - Marie Ainsworth - marie.ainsworth@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
Councillor - Philip Atkins - Philip.atkins@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
Head of Health and Leisure - Ishbel Murray - ishbel.murray@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk
Janet Dean MP - coxhill@parliment.uk or ground floor, Cross street, Burton-on-Trent DE14 1EF
Please copy our chairman on all mail so that we can follow our campaign closely.
martin.flinders@mdsaero.co.uk. (24 Alderson Drive, Stretton, Burton-On-Trent)
For futher details of our campaign please contact – Martin Flinders, Chairman B&D S.M.C.C.
Tel 07967 304496 E-mail martin.flinders@mdsaero.co.uk
Club Web site – www.burtonmotox.com
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