Earlier this month a resident contacted me to report a damaged boom gate on the Haswell to Hart walkway near the point where it crosses the road between High Hesleden and Monk Hesleden.
I raised this issue on the same day with the countryside team at county hall who have confirmed that temporary measures will be put in place to prevent access to off-road bikes until a more effective permanent gate can be installed.
I've published below the full response received from the service team leader:
Staff have been on site and report that the perpetrators have been targeting this boom gate for a while and has been repaired previously.
After speaking with colleagues, we have agreed that we will put boulders in place of the boom gate, as a temporary measure, till we investigate the use of more robust gates, although this will come with a higher cost.
This
part of the railway path now has a section 59 notice in place, due to increased
off road vehicle ASB, meaning the police can apply stronger measures.
Hopefully, assistance from the Police together with more robust measures, may
reduce this anti-social behaviour.
