Community · Salisbury
Salisbury Council removes unauthorised bike ramps in city woodland
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Salisbury City Council has dismantled a series of unauthorised mountain-bike ramps and jumps in Chiselbury Grove due to safety concerns and environmental damage.
Salisbury City Council has taken action to remove a network of unauthorised mountain-bike ramps and jumps built within Chiselbury Grove Woodland, near Old Blandford Road. The local authority confirmed that the structures had been constructed with increasing frequency, prompting concerns for both public safety and the local environment.
Management of the woodland, which is widely used by dog walkers, runners, and families, requires the area to be accessible to all. According to the council, the mountain-bike features were installed on steep, slippery slopes without any formal risk assessments, design oversight, or safety markings. These factors created a significant risk of injury to users and other visitors who might not anticipate the path of a cyclist. Furthermore, the council noted that the lack of proper planning hampered potential emergency access to the site.
Beyond the immediate safety implications, the council highlighted environmental degradation within the woodland. Trees had been cut down to provide materials for the construction of the jumps, an activity described as damaging to the local habitat. Officials also expressed concern regarding the use of bladed tools in a public space to facilitate these works.
Councillor Annie Riddle, representing Harnham West, emphasised the liability risks faced by the local authority, stating: "The woods are steeply sloping and slippery, and the City Council could be sued if it did nothing and someone’s child injured themselves." She added that the area is specifically managed for peaceful public enjoyment and as part of the Harnham wildlife corridor.
The council has appealed for those responsible to come forward so that the legal position and associated risks can be explained, though no one has yet made contact. Due to the scale of some of the structures, it is believed that adults may be involved in the construction.
While officials have made it clear that such unauthorised building must cease, Councillor Riddle has indicated a willingness to support efforts to identify a more appropriate, designated site for young people in the south of the city. In the meantime, residents are reminded that the woodland contains natural features that can be used responsibly, provided they do not compromise the safety of other visitors or the health of the woodland environment.
Source: Salisbury Journal — Sport · View original