A BRADFORD man is “frustrated” after claiming that a beauty spot close to his Thornton home is being “ruined” by quad bikers.

The man, who wishes to stay anonymous, says that the bikers have “decimated” Pitty Beck and are causing “havoc” to a place which has always been popular with dog walkers and families.

He adds that footpaths at Pitty Beck have been “churned up” by the actions of the bikers, putting people off going there, while the noise is also “excessive”.

“Pitty Beck has been a perfect place to walk my dogs, take my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to play, watch wildlife and pick blackberries – but not anymore”, he said.

“It’s shocking and it’s spoiling the area. The paths are all ruined.

“It’s supposed to be an area which is set aside for people to enjoy and walk through the fields, but that’s not possible now.

“Worst of all, the bike riders don’t really care. They just ride around without a care for anybody else.

“Why should bikers be flying around on public footpaths for their own gratification?

“It’s also dangerous – who’s to say they won’t run over a dog, or even run into you?

“At first there were just a few riders, but now the numbers are increasing. Recently, there were as many as 10.

“If somebody sees somebody else doing it, they think that they can just do it as well.

“It’s worse at the weekends. If you want to sit in your garden on a Sunday afternoon, you can just hear motorbikes going around and around. It’s annoying.”

The man adds that the situation has gradually got “worse and worse over the last couple of years”.

“There is more damage at Pitty Beck now more than ever”, he said.

“The land is council-owned, Bradford Council and JU:MP are spending loads of money on it to deliver environmental improvements, but I’m not sure how that will work with these bikes roaring around.

“I’m not sure what can be done about it – perhaps fencing, but the downside is, what if people who are disabled want to access the area? If you leave enough room for a wheelchair to get through, that’s also enough room for a bike.

“But something needs to be done, because it’s just getting ridiculous.”

Bradford Council has been contacted for comment.