Biker rally may be blocked by police

Controversial plans to hold weekly biker rallies in countryside near Wolverhampton could be blocked by police.

Thousands of bikers are expected to flock to Garden Village on Bridgnorth Road, Shipley, starting on March 27.

At last night's Perton Parish Council meeting, South Staffordshire officer Pc Frank Hossack said it was a bad idea. Councillors also requested speed limits be enforced and for the area to be patrolled amid concerns of an impending "mass of bikers" descending on the area.

Pc Hossack said: "There will be very, very strong objections regarding road safety and the potential for road accidents from police.

"We will try and prevent that location being used for that purpose. I certainly don't want to see it, nor the problems associated with motorbikes and meetings of that kind."

Councillors highlighted previous problems with bikers at The Wheel pub at Worfield, further along Bridgnorth Road. The pub saw up to 1,500 bikers gather for weekly meetings before it lost its licence as a result. The meetings were stopped in 2005 amid police fears the events were unsafe due to riders performing dangerous tricks and racing along on the road.

The Garden Village meetings have been launched by Steph Harris, the daughter of Garden Village owner Stephen Harris. There is room for around 5,000 to 10,000 bikes.

The meetings will not feature live music but will have promotions running. Miss Harris said she did not anticipate any problems as the meet would be on private land.