ANGRY bikers have had their offer to help clean up gravel and sand washed up on Aberystwyth’s promenade by storms and high seas rejected by the county council.

The bikers have complained that their motorcycles in the parking area the council created on the promenade near the bandstand are being damaged by the debris.

They offered to help clear up the storm-strewn mess, but they have been told the council will do the work because of health and safety concerns and they have been reminded that motorcycles are only allowed on the promenade between April and September anyway.

A group of bikers, led by rider Rik Mowbray, arranged the early stages of an organised sweep of the area to “help the council out” before the offer was turned down by the council.

“A number of bikers that use the parking on the sea front in Aberystwyth are complaining about the lack of sweeping the beach which has been displaced during recent weather,” Mr Mowbray said.

“It has been suggested that the bikers turn up with brooms and shovels and clean the area ourselves, instead of being negative about council lack of action. We wanted to be positive and actually engage just as we did when the storms hit.”

Mr Mowbray said there had been reports of a “number of recent occasions of dropped bikes due to loose gravel and stones” on the prom.

In a letter to Mr Mowbray, Brian Thomas, part of the technical services team at Ceredigion council, said: “Whilst we are very grateful for the offer of help to clear the prom in Aberystwyth, we are unable to give permission to members of the public to carry out this type work in this instance due to health and safety implications."

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