Frustration as motorcycle project hits the buffers
A LOCAL man who has forked out a four-figure sum and spent numerous hours working on a site that would create a motorcycle track near Careston has criticised Angus Council for their "lack of interest in the project".
Mark Gibson went to the trouble of having representatives from the Scottish AutoCycle Union carry out inspections on the site for insurance purposes and the site passed all the necessary tests set by the body.
However, despite a call to Angus Council leader, Bob Myles, the project seems to have hit the buffers, as Mark explained.
"It really has been very frustrating. So much so, that I haven't even been up to the site in the last few months, because I get so angry when I go up there, given the amount of time, money and effort that has gone into preparing the tracks.
"I spent a minimum of 1500 on creating these sites, one for older kids and adults and one for younger children to use motorbikes on, and had a lot of assistance from the local farmer, Jim Wilson in getting the project up and running in the first place.
"One of the motivations for doing something like this is that we are hearing more and more in the "Brechiner" about youngsters using motorbikes on grounds where they shouldn't be and I felt that, if they were provided with a proper facility, it would benefit everyone concerned.
"I had someone along from the Angus Council roads department and they asked me to put in added drainage, having already created a new road entrance for the site.
"I contacted Councillor Myles and asked for some guidance to progress the project and I thought, given the adverse publicity there has been on youngsters using motorbikes, they would take some time and advise me on how to take the thing forward.
"I am still waiting on a return call from the council, however, and, given the time that has elapsed since I made the initial contact, the money which has been spent and, more than anything, the amount of time invested in the whole scheme, I have been unable to bring myself up to the site until today through sheer frustration."
Andy Russell of the Scottish Autocycle Union was responsible for the site visit.
He said: "The problem is local authorities don't have guidelines to follow and we are trying to help provide those guidelines for planning departments and environmental health departments the length and breadth of the UK.
"When someone takes forward a plan of this nature, it's always easy for the environmental health people or the planners to find something to knock it back on.
"However, they don't actually have any guidelines as yet to base those decisions on, as we are still in the process of drawing them up in conjunction with central and local government.
"In Mark's case, there was a lot of time and money invested and he has faced a constant uphill struggle. We try our best to have a successful sport, despite the fact we are still considered a minority sport by central government, and we try to adhere to safety guidelines for riders and spectators, which we have drawn up ourselves, in a bid to ensure public safety.
"I have nothing but sympathy for him. I believe the only thing we asked him to erect was chestnut fencing, which is mainly for spectators' safety.
"Other than that, I believe his site passed with flying colours. It appears, like many such applications, what he is really suffering from is the elderly thinking that exists in this country. If some people feel youngsters are going to be involved, they aren't interested and that's a real shame."
In response council leader Bob Myles said: "I was disappointed to learn about this. I thought the plans were good and the concept was good.
"I was unaware Mark was awaiting further information. However, my door is always open if he wants to come back to me.
"If there has been a lack of communication between the parties, then I am more than re-open any discussions or help point Mark in any direction I can."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
