Club aims to stop illegal riding

A mini-moto club could be set up in Telford to deter youngsters from riding their motorcycles illegally on public highways and causing a danger to pedestrians.The move to create the club follows the success of the motorcycle training course recently run by Hadley community support officer Rob Hughes in conjunction with Kickstart Motorcycle Training Centre.

Its aim would be to give young people in Hadley and Leegomery somewhere to ride their motorcycles legally.

Groups backing the club include Telford & Wrekin Council and the Hadley Area People's Partnership - a voluntary organisation whose members include West Mercia Constabulary and Telford & Wrekin Council.

The partnership has won funds from the National Lottery to run a activities for children and young people in Hadley and Leegomery and this project may be part-funded from the grant.

Mr Hughes said: "The aim of this project is to prepare the young people for the day they become adults that can legally own, ride and maintain their own motorcycles.

"In the long-run we hope we may be able to increase their prospects of getting work and also that they will no longer feel the need to hang around the streets.

"Hopefully the partnership between Telford Police, Telford & Wrekin Council and HaPPi will be able to provide facilities for young people aged between six and 16 who wish to ride their mini-moto bikes.

"We intend to host race meetings where young people can ride their bikes in a specially marked out circuit against a stop watch.

"However, before the project begins, at least 12 volunteer adult marshals need to be trained up to run these monthly sessions.

"I would ask anyone who believes they may be able to help, or who would be willing to train as a marshal, to contact myself or Mike Jones at Telford & Wrekin Council.

"Volunteers need to be aged 18 and above and be available to attend a free weekend training session."

For further details contact Mike Jones on (01952) 382245 or Mr Hughes on 08457 444888.