Councillor Geoff Lilley, who represents the Greatham ward on Hartlepool Borough Council, says bikers are causing a nuisance by using the Fens estate as a short cut to get to Queen's Meadow Business Park. He is now asking for a place for people to go to ride their off-road bikes.

Coun Lilley said: "In the past, people have gone to the Teesbay Retail Park but they seem to be going towards Queen's Meadow. It's getting problematic.

"The main problem is the noise. The other thing is young people on probably unlicensed bikes and possibly even stolen bikes.

"They are tearing through some areas of the Fens to get to this area and it's really starting to worry residents. It's a problem throughout the town.

"They tear along public highways where kids are playing and people are walking their dogs. It's not a safe combination.

"I suspect alcohol could be involved as well."

The councillor suggested that a safe place could be set up in Hartlepool, similar to one in Sedgefield, that would "encourage people to be involved in something that's legal rather than illegal".
Coun Lilley added: "It is a pain for other people.

"It's dangerous but if we had a proper licensed track that was run properly, I think it would be a great asset for the town."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Any reports of this type of offence will be investigated and anyone committing these offences will be prosecuted."

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesman said: "We share Coun Lilley's concerns about the illegal use of off-road motorcycles and we are working with the police and other agencies to try to prevent it.

"Regarding his call for a designated site for off-road motorcycles, we would suggest that he raises the matter with the town's motorcycle steering group, a partnership of the police, Hartlepool Council, the fire service and Housing Hartlepool."