Row over BMX track
A row has broken out over the decision to destroy a BMX bike track in a popular wood.
Conservationists and the council say the area in Church Wood, St Leonards, was not safe and the young people who used it have been offered alternatives.
But some local residents have hit out at the move to cut down several trees around the rim of the dirt basin and let the branches fall into the centre where the jumps used to be.
Jim Howard, 73, of Seven Acre Drive, St Leonards, said: "I think it's disgusting - it's a deliberate act of vandalism against the kids. People should go up and see what has been done.
"This area has been used by kids for decades but I don't think they were causing any nuisance - they were doing something constructive.
"The council is just pushing them to do what it wants not what the kids want."
But council spokesman Caroline Kelly said: "This ancient woodland is also a local nature reserve.
"Several years ago the Friends of the Church Wood group approached us about damage to the woodland caused by bike riders. This damage was beginning to make the trees unsafe.
"We have tried to talk to the riders about setting up a new track, away from the woods and while this has proved unsuccessful so far, this option remains open.
"The felling of small trees near the BMX site served two purposes - to discourage riders from using this area and as part of our coppice management. It's not a decision we took lightly but one which we believe will best protect the woodland."
And Colin Goldsack, chairman of the Friends of Church Wood agreed.
He said: "I have every sympathy with the children,
"I know they have played there for many years and we want to encourage people to use the woods.
"But unfortunately it was becoming dangerous, with people digging under trees and into the paths which could make them unsafe for emergency vehicle
"We tried to get a BMX site on the Hollington recreation ground which the children could have helped design but the signs which were put up
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Weather for Hastings
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
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Light showers
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
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