A BID to build a BMX track on the outskirts of Tavistock has been rejected due to safety issues.

But the town council is working with Tavi Riders group, based at the Youth Café in Tavistock, to find an alternative site.

The group had appealed to the town council earlier this year for a piece of land above the play park at Bannawell Street for a cycle track.

In May, councillors agreed the request 'in principle', subject to further consultation. But residents in the area lobbied strongly against the idea and after site meetings, councillors agreed the site would not be practical.

Works superintendent Wayne Southal told them his main concern was over the mixed usage of the proposed site.

He said: 'If the track went ahead it would require segregation from other users, for example, dog walking, basketball, football, parents and children using the playpark.

'A further issue is the access to the site from the highway, which is not ideal due to the number of junctions and frequency of traffic flow.

'A further issue that would also have to be considered is the flooding of the lower section of the site in extreme weather conditions, making access impossible at times.

'I do not believe that Bannawell is an ideal location for a BMX track based on what I have assumed about the design.'

Cllr Ted Sherrell said: 'I do feel, having seen the area, that it is unsuitable as it is very close to residents' homes and the busy highway.

'It will be nice to find somewhere else for the BMX track but I feel Bannawell is totally unsuitable.'

Tavistock mayor Cllr Mandy Govier said: 'Russell Court still has a lot of elderly residents and we can't have riders rushing past and running into an elderly person.

'We will still try and help Tavi Riders but at the moment we currently have no land available to use.'

Residents living near to the proposed track wrote to the council, stating their concerns. Gary and Kay Adin said 'One supports such an endeavour to give the young people somewhere else to go with their bikes — however, the site allocated for such a use must also be deemed appropriate for this purpose.

'In the very short space of time we have resided here we have seen daily use of the park by many different people.

'There are parents with their young children enjoying the use of the playground facilities, numerous dog walkers of all ages, young people playing on the basketball ground, teenagers spending time together, and more senior people sitting in the tranquil nature area relaxing.

'If a BMX track is built, many of these current users would become excluded from the environment.'

Vicki Lloyd, Tavistock Youth Café manager, said: 'The youngsters are really disappointed but we know it's not all doom and gloom as there will be somewhere else.

'The council has recognised there is a need and that they will help us look for other sites. We hope that we have them on side to find another area in Tavistock.'