Barrier to bike track

A PLAN for a motorcycle track to be built on farmland is facing stiff opposition from the parish council and residents.

Last week the Mid Bedfordshire MX Youth Project announced it had submitted a planning application to Mid Beds District Council for the site on four and a half acres alongside Cambridge Road on the outskirts of Langford.

The organisation said it would now be seeking funding from Sport England and Bedfordshire County Council to cover the estimated £117,000 cost of the project.

"We have the land, the support from the police and now we just need the financial support," said project co-ordinator Ken Lynch.

In a letter to Mr Lynch, the local beat officer for Langford Pc Steve Holbrook said: "I believe the introduction of an MX track will greatly reduce the incidents of nuisance motorcycles the police have to attend."

But this week Brian Marsden, chairman of the parish council's planning committee, said the council would objection to the planning application.

"Councillors are against the proposals and we will be sending in our objection," said Mr Marsden.

"People living in Cambridge Close and Cambridge Way are planning a petition and are not happy with having this on a field close to their homes.

"There may have been sound tests carried out when there was a south west breeze but what happens when the noise is blown towards houses on the outskirts of the village?

"A lot of people are not happy about this project and will make their feelings known in due course."

When told about the objections from the council, Mr Lynch said: "We informed Langford Parish Council some time ago about the track and where we wanted to put it and they gave no indication they were against it.

"We believe we have picked the right location and the fears local people have about noise and motorbikes going through the village are unwarranted.