DOZENS of people on bikes caused traffic chaos on a dual carriageway last week, in what they say was a protest against police. Over the past two months, a group of about 100 drivers involved in time trials have gathered on Gunnels Wood Road in Stevenage e

DOZENS of people on bikes caused traffic chaos on a dual carriageway last week, in what they say was a protest against police.

Over the past two months, a group of about 100 drivers involved in time trials have gathered on Gunnels Wood Road in Stevenage every Thursday evening.

The Comet has received a number of letters and emails from readers concerned that the road is being treated like a race track, and that one day someone could be killed.

But one of the drivers involved told The Comet: "It's a nice bit of quiet road. We wouldn't say we are racing - we just have little bursts side by side. We probably reach about 70mph but I can't see why it would be dangerous."

He said the group of drivers have been gathering at Cotton Brown Park in Letchworth GC for more than five years, adding: "We are all petrol heads and we have our fun. We are all young and we don't have anything else to do in this town."

Two weeks ago, police arrested three of the drivers - two on suspicion of public order offences after missiles were launched at officers, and one for a drugs offence.

Last week, in response to the arrests according to one of the group's organisers, dozens of the drivers took to Stevenage streets on bicycles.

He said: "We had a bit of a protest. We came out on push bikes and brought Stevenage to a standstill by riding up and down on them. We even did some time trials on them."

He said the group, who come from all over North Herts and are aged up to about 30, received a round of applause from people when they cycled through the Old Town.

He said: "We may have been breaking the law by doing a little bit of speeding, but we are not a bad group of lads. We have got it under control.

"Police seem to think we may be putting people's lives at risk, but we use radios so we are not on the roads when there are other cars."

Police would like to speak to any of the people pictured in this video footage, or anyone who knows any of these people, in connection with incidents of time trialling in Stevenage.

It may be they were witness to offences and they are asked to make contact with officers in the Eastern Area's Roads Policing Unit at Stevenage Police Station on 0845 3300 222.