CAMPAIGNERS from Severn Beach are appealing to the community to join their fight against the illegal use of off-road vehicles on private land near the village.

Parish councillors are asking residents to support a cease and desist order on groups of motorcyclists using the land on the Western Approaches, by encouraging them to report the illegal activity to the police.

“Residents have long suffered from the noisy activity created by groups of up to 30 motorcyclists, which can be heard in the village up to half a mile away,” said Cllr Mike Pruitt.

“This has been a problem for the past 20 years, word got out that people could come along and ride their bikes and they have kept coming.

“It has since become a no-go area for pedestrians at the weekends, as these people have repeatedly shown a complete disregard for the public.”

The 650-acre area of land on the Western Approaches owned by Delta Properties, who approved the cease and desist order after being approached by the residents and parish council 18 months ago, were not available for comment.

A 15-hectare space of the land has been proposed for new housing by the organisation.

Pilning and Severn Beach Parish Council chairman Frances Barr, MBE, said: “Around Western Approaches there are some lovely walks by the Lakes, but nobody can enjoy them due to the noise and the tearing up of the ground.

“Residents of Severn Beach have had to put up with the incessant noise for too long.”

Severn beach resident Sue Gibbons, who lives a few hundred metres from the epicentre of the disturbances added: “We are fighting to get our peace back!”

“We have a lot of elderly who are trying to enjoy their day and have their time ruined by this horrible, horrible noise.”

Cllr Pruitt went on to discuss the purpose of the cease and desist order and increased reporting to the police, giving the community the chance to create a “pattern of disruption” for the off-roaders.

“Putting up signs to warn users about the order will not work as they will just pull them down and pretend it hasn’t happened.

“Officers cannot police a private company, especially over 650 acres of land. But if the community were to act in unison and report the noise levels en masse, it would send a message that we do not want this activity.

“The more people that report the noise, the more the police will have to respond.”

Severn Beach beat manager Pete Wozniak condemned the illegal use of motor vehicles on the land and prompted residents affected by the noise to report it.

He confirmed that "several noise complaints from motor vehicles illegally using land at Western Approach had been made," and that "the land owners have stated no one has permission to use such vehicles on their ground."

He also warned the off-road motorists that "following a first warning the police have the power to seize vehicles, should they witness them being used in an anti-social way."