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Council set to pay for quad bike sessions

ANGRY residents have hit out over plans to take local youngsters on quad biking lessons.

Illegal off-road biking has caused months of misery for the people of Middleton and a summer scheme to teach kids how to drive them has left residents stunned and outraged.

One Moorclose resident, who did not want to be named, said: “These bikers, both old and young, have made the last few months a living hell.

“They are here day and night. And now to find out that children are being encouraged to learn how to ride them just beggars belief.”

Middleton Youth Service have been granted £1,000 to fund the project for 13 to 19-year-olds.

The yougsters, from Alkrington, Hollin and Rhodes, will be involved in team building sessions and discussion groups before being taken for a day at a quad biking centre to develop their driving skills.

Residents are now concerned that such an activity will encourage more kids to participate in off-road biking and add to their suffering.

Al Wright of Glenwood Drive, Boarshaw, is outraged by the plan. He said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous and stupid.”

Bikers

“We have only just got rid of the bikers who have been using the field at the back of my house but you can guarantee more will be back if this plan goes ahead.

“We thought we would be able to enjoy our summer this year, but I suppose it was just to good to be true.”

Mr Wright, whose house overlooks the British Vita field – a hot-spot for bikers – also reckons that encouraging children to ride quad bikes at such a young age is very irresponsible.

Many parents do not realise that quad bikes require a licence and insurance and are subject to road tax. If youngsters are caught riding them illegally then their parents can face heavy fines, recovery costs and points on their own licenses.

Councillor Lil Murphy was shocked by the plans. She has endured “months of hell” from people riding motorbikes and quad bikes on King George’s playing field behind her house.

She said: “It’s not right to ride these bikes in built up areas and I think a scheme like this one will just encourage more people into the activity.

“There is nowhere in Middleton where it is legal or safe to ride these bikes. Youngsters are entitled to have fun but I think they should have an allocated place where they can ride them and not use the streets and fields near residential areas.”

Middleton Township Manager, Sue Thornton, said: “The quad biking forms part of the Holiday at Home scheme for the summer. It forms just a small part of a long series of sessions which include teaching children the effects of vandalism, drugs and alcohol.

“They will be taught how to ride the bikes responsibly and we believe it will encourage them to use proper centres which are a lot more fun than riding in residential areas.”