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"Fury Over Bike Project" by Louise Hale
Council officials were met with boos from an angry mob picketing a planning meeting where a decision on a controversial motorbike scrambling scheme was to be made.
Over 150 protesters from Spelthorne, Bedfont and Feltham descended on Hounslow Council's west area planning meeting last Thursday, to lodge their fears over the Rough Riders project proposed for waste land at Bedfont Lakes.
The project has been developed by Hounslow Council, Hounslow Police and other agencies following years of complaints from residents who have had to put up with endless noise and abuse from illegal scramblers riding their bikes on local parks and fields.
The Rough Riders project is aimed at providing a safe and legal place for these bikers to ride, within specific hours of operation.
The sight (sic) at Bedfont Lakes would be constantly supervised and courses on bike maintenance would also be offered to try to give guidance to some of the younger riders.
However, protesters say the proposed track is only 350 metres away from residential housing and the drone of engines will be a constant nuisance to those living there.
More than 300 letters of complaint and two petitions containing over 500 signatures on it have been sent to Hounslow Council.
Spelthorne resident David Hart said of the proposals: "I object to the proposal on the grounds of diminished quality o1 life, with noise, dust, air pollution and the loss of my local bit of countryside. If this plan goes ahead I fear that it would drive me out of my home, if indeed I could sell it."
A decision on the future of the project was expected at the meeting, however, councillors demanded more information be given to them Hounslow councillor Ray Fincher of Hanworth ward, declared the report to contain a lack of information, adding it was a "farce" to expect councillors to comment on a report which did not attempt to answer any of the questions asked of it.
Spelthorne councillor John Howliston expressed disappointment that there was no mention of Spelthorne in the document as most affected residents live there, but was reassured that the borough will get full attention in the Sustainable Development Committee report.
It was decided a noise survey would need to be carried out before a final decision could be made and the matter will be discussed at a later west area meeting.
Louise Hale lhale@london.newsquest.co.uk
Rough Riders Website Includes details of the campaign. www.no-motocross.co.uk
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