Canal Nuisance

Councillor Phil Bateman and Councillor Dave Jones Labour Wednesfield North are campaigning to remove the nuisance and danger that currently exist along the Essington and Gt Wyrley canal at Wednesfield.

Councillor Phil Bateman said today "Residents living close to the canal near the Devil's Elbow Bridge will be aware that there has been an upsurge of nuisance and anti social behaviour caused by motorcyclists and quads racing along the tow path.

I have been in touch with the police and there is quite a file building up about this location and its problems. I asked the police about the number of calls that they have received from concerned members of the public about this type of nuisance by year, so that we could see from the statistics if there was an actual increase in the problem.

The police have responded and here is the comment that they have made "

Wednesfield Police-"We have researched the number of calls made to this location in relation to problems with off road bikes on the towpath during 2005 and 2006

These that actually identify the location Devils Elbow Bridge total 5 in 2006 and 1 in 2005.I have also included in my search Lich Avenue 3 in 2006 and 4 in 2005 and Measham Way 3 in 2006 none in 2005.

I am aware that residents are suffering increased problems in the area with motor cycles being ridden on the towpath"

Councillor Dave Jones added " so you can see the residents are being treated to more activity than previous, and of course the thoughts are it will get worse if no action is taken against offenders."

Wednesfield Police go on to say "As you are aware we at G2 are treating this problem seriously the Road Policing Unit make efforts to patrol the areas most affected by this problem and to identify offenders .Their patrols are supplemented by Sector Officers assisting them in this role and undertaking other patrols themselves.I am aware that patrols were allocated to this area.

As you are no doubt aware at a time when we are attempting to ever increase our efficiency and meet all the demands on our Service such initiatives are labour and time intensive and that it is difficult to resource such commitments all the time.

I am also aware that PS Richards and PC Smith from the G2 RPU have arranged a meeting with British waterways in relation to the problems with bikes in this particular area and will update you with the result.

In conclusion I am not aware that anyone has been prosecuted for riding off road bikes in this location."

Councillor Dave Jones further added " There is a police move to curtail the problem, but this will only be achieved if there are prosecutions. At the moment the motorcyclists are not only a danger to other users of the tow path they are just behaving as they want regardless of the law.

Councillor Bateman commenting on another cause of friction said "I also raised the issue that residents raised with me, that on occasions when they have asked Wednesfield Police for a log number, to go with their complaint it has been refused!

I took a dim view of this and asked the police to investigate this practice. Wednesfield Police have looked into the matter for me and their response is "It is only right and proper that when requested for a log number in circumstances such as this, that it is given to the caller.I am sorry that this was not done in this case and have spoken with the Insp in charge of our Ops Centre and call handling, in order he can re enforce this message with his Staff."

So the issue is under a review and the area is under the police spotlight, hopefully the actions taken will work and some peace and quiet will be resumed along with the safer opportunity of walking along the canal and enjoying its amenity.