Ulverston's BMX track plans hindered by funding as kids dig their own

Children in the town were warned by police last week to stop digging large holes in Lightburn Park to make their own as it is classed as a criminal offence.

Members of the public have reported young bikers digging cycle ramps within the trees and grassed areas, which is causing trip hazards along with permanent and expensive damage to tree roots.

Police have spoken to the local children to explain why the behaviour must stop.

Some nearby residents have sympathy for them, however, believing that if the youths had facilities to take their bikes, then the behaviour would not happen.

One resident is Andy Parker, 67, who is a retired civil engineer and was once chairman of the South Lakeland Model Engineering Society - the Lightburn Park Railway being its home.

He said: "The children in question are just ordinary kids aged from around ten to 15 years old - granted there can be the odd one with an attitude.

"They have nowhere to ride their bikes so they got their spades out and started digging. 

"I worked for a local authority at one point and during the plans to improve the park a few years ago I put forward, rather informally, that there needs to be a place for the kids to ride their bikes.

"It was by no means promised but I was under the impression that a space alongside Priory Road could be considered.

"I don't know what's happened to that or if any others are being considered. I worry that if the children carry on, bikes will just be banned altogether from the park and they'll have nowhere."

The Friends of Lightburn Park worked with South Lakeland District Council in recent years to raise funds to improve the park's play area, while also looking after the planting areas in the park such as the sensory garden, raised beds and stumpery creating a wildflower meadow within the railway track area.

A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said: "Lightburn Park has a new playground, a skate ramp, a Multi-Use-Games-Area (MUGA), a space net and a kickabout area so is a great park for all ages and abilities.

"We are aware of the damage in the park and we have been working with the police to try and change this behaviour. Although we understand they are trying create a bike track, they are in fact causing a great deal of damage - trees have been damaged and pedestrians almost knocked over.

"We are working with our ground maintenance contractor on plans to reinstate the area where they have been digging.

"The council does not want to ban bikes from the park. We are looking at areas that could be made into a proper Pump/BMX track but spending council funds on repairs means less money to spend on new facilities."