Decision delayed on new cycleway plans

CONCERNS SCHEME WOULD MAKE OFF-ROAD BIKES NUISANCE WORSE

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

Clarendon Road in Thornaby

A COUNCIL'S 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 own planning department for permission to create the new footpath and cycleway near Clarendon Road, Thornaby, in a pedestrian and cycle network improvement scheme.

The paths would be twin tracks with a green strip between them, lighting, landscaping and tree planting to replace two trees which would be removed.

Cleveland Police did not support the proposal, saying the local policing team "confirm the issue at the location with off-road motorcycle nuisance and any cycle route would exacerbate the issue".

Residents also raised problems with bikes and even alleged drug running in the area.

However, council officers found nothing wrong with the plan and recommended it for approval.

Councillors on the planning committee met to decide the matter last Wednesday.