Cycleway plan stalls over off-road bike concerns

Stockton councillors agreed to defer the decision on the cycleway to get more information from police

A plan for a new footpath and cycleway has stalled after police warned it would worsen the nuisance of off-road bikes.

Stockton Council applied to its planning department for permission to create the new route near Clarendon Road, in Thornaby, as part of a pedestrian and cycle network improvement scheme.

However, Cleveland Police said it did not support the proposal, warning it would exacerbate problems with off-road bikes.

Council officers had recommended the plan for approval, but councillors have now agreed to defer the decision until they get more information from police.

One objector told the council meeting on Wednesday: "There's a lot of drug-running along that back field, using e-scooters, bikes, you name it, that's massive in the summer.

"If you've got easy access along there, it's a cut-through. It's going to be a lot more dangerous, even in the winter, if they're blasting up and down on these bikes."

Other objectors said it would erode green space and that it was in a flood area, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mitigation needed

Principal planning officer, Elaine Atkinson, said the route would give children a safe route and keep them away from the roads.

"In terms of anti-social behaviour, this area will be lit and it's considered it would reduce this," she said.

Labour councillor Norma Stephenson said even if the route was well lit it would not make a difference.

"You're talking about young lads on motorbikes with balaclavas on, dressed in black and it doesn't matter how light it is," Stephenson said.

"They're not going to take any notice of it.

"If the police are saying it'll be an issue, it'll be an issue."

Conservative councillor Tony Riordan suggested deferring the decision to get more details from the police, which was agreed by a unanimous vote.

"Residents have to live with this, they have to live with our decision," Riordan said.

"If there's mitigation for prevention of crime in the wider area, I would support it.

"At the moment it's not there."