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26
Aug 2023
'Extensive action' pledged to tackle teen bike track in Harrogate woods
North Yorkshire Council has pledged to take "extensive action" against young people using woods in Harrogate as a bike track.
The council flattened the track in Oak Beck Park in May following complaints about vandalism.
But another makeshift route has appeared in the woods, which are near Oak Beck Retail Park, during the school holidays.
One local resident, who asked not to be named, said the area had been "transformed again" and some areas had become no-go zones to her.
She said there were "massive ramps and holes" and volunteers regularly tidied litter.
She said no cycling signs on gates at the entrance of Oak Beck Park this summer "stayed there for less than 48 hours".
The track approaching one of the jumps.
Karl Battersby, the council's corporate director for environment, said:
Mr Battersby said the council was assessing damage to trees and footpaths. He added:
One of the holes.
Councillor Monika Slater, a Liberal Democrat whose Bilton Grange and New Park division includes the woods, said she understood there was potential funding to create an allocated site for bikers in the woods.
Cllr Slater said this would be a good outcome, adding:
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