A popular biker meet near Lichfield is set to continue after a meeting between officials and riders.
County Councillor Matthew Ellis hosted the talks after plans for a ban on the event had been suggested due to the sheer volume of motorbikes gathering at Bassetts Pole.
“I was pleased and the need to talk of banning the biker gathering has receeded considerably,” said the representative for Lichfield Rural East. “The police, reps from the motorbike community, Staffordshire Highways officials and the landlord of the Harvester pub were there to talk to me.
“My starting point on this issue has been to resist the idea of an outright ban but instead find ways of addressing the site specific and highway safety issues along with anti social riding and driving which has caused concern in nearby villages for years during fine summer evenings.”
Among the key points that were agreed were:
- The actual numbers on the main site are not a significant problem and the gatherings are generally well behaved
- Businesses on the site are not adversely affected in the main
- Overflow parking on and around the dual carriageway is a serious danger
- Spectator cars and quad bikes are more likely to be problematical than the motorbikes attending
- Riders are leaving the A38 at the caravan exit to avoid speed cameras and tearing along local residential lanes
- Inconsiderate riding and driving through villages on the way to Bassetts Pole creates the perception that police are powerless to curb it
With agreement on some of the issues caused by the growth of the gathering, Cllr Ellis says he is confident that it will continue to go ahead.
“I have to say I’m really confident that the actions from the meeting stand a very good chance of maintaining the event in a more regulated way, while also addressing most of the the wider issues raised by police, local people and others,” he explained.
“Seven proposals are being worked up. Included is identifying additional space close by for parking to avoid the overflow issues, new prohibitive highway regulations around Bassetts Pole, a defined approach to police enforcement across the wider area after an ‘education’ period and ongoing assessment of what is and isn’t working for the rest of the season.”
