WASTELAND in Severn Beach is still being used by large groups of scramble bike enthusiasts, despite police efforts to stop them.

Land owned by Redrow Homes on Western Approaches Business Park is regularly advertised on the internet for bikers to meet in their droves and drive all over the area.

Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council and residents have previously complained about the noise made by groups of youngsters and the mess they leave the land in.

Some homeowners started keeping logbooks of activities.

Sector inspector Richard Corrigan has now identified the business park as one of the main areas of concern in Severnside.

He said: "It has certainly been a problem and is an increasing one. It is private land and we are getting no support from the national company that owns the land.

"It is advertised on the internet as a place to come and scramble bikes and a whole track has now been made."

Redrow Homes did put up a wooden fence in an effort to stop bikers using the land but it was quickly pulled down.

Added Insp Corrigan: "It was a token effort. The company has no planning permission so the land is forgotten to them.

"But this is a problem and something we are very aware of and I am concerned about it."

Stephen Dodds, development director for Redrow, said the company had taken all reasonable actions to prevent bikers misusing the site.

He said: "We take the concerns of local residents very seriously and have met with parish council representatives and the local police in order to prevent the misuse of the development site by motorcyclists.

"We have implemented all reasonable actions to try to stop motorcycle access but still allow local residents to walk across the land."

He said warning signs and a stile had been erected, as well as the fence.

Mr Dodds added: "We have applied to have the access road designated as an urban clear way to prevent parking and have given the police full authority to enter the site to stop further incidents.

"Existing occupiers have also been given the police contact details and asked to report any incidents as soon as possible.

"We are monitoring the situation and will continue to liaise with the police and parish council."