Seaside meeting place for bikers under threat (From Gazette)

Seaside meeting place for bikers under threat

2:00pm Wednesday 22nd July 2009

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A POPULAR seaside meeting spot for bikers could be under threat after complaints from residents.

For years, Walton has been a favourite destination for motorcyclists heading to the coast.

But Frinton and Walton Town Council says parked bikes have sparked complaints about blocking the pavement, and it has asked Tendring Council to investigate.

Paul Barnes, whose seafront kiosk is a magnet to bikers from miles around, says any bid to prevent them coming to Walton would hit trade.

He said: “We have motorcyclists who have been coming to Walton and the Central Kiosk every weekend for the past five years and we’ve never had a single complaint.”

Walton and the Central Kiosk are featured on a number of websites as a top bikers’ destination.

In May, about 100 scooters and bikes parked along the seawall on Princes Esplanade for a get-together.

Mr Barnes said: “It goes on in every seaside town.

“In Poole, in Dorset, they have thousands of motorcycles every weekend and the council absolutely loves it and encourages it.

“We’ve always been bike-friendly and always will. We love motorbikes and we’ve got a huge reputation in the motorcycle world.

“We do the best we can to promote Walton as the top place for motorcycles to come to, and they don’t just come to Central Kiosk. They bring their families and shop in Walton.”

Mr Barnes insists the bikes park legally and don’t cause an obstruction.

Tendring Council says it will look into the matter.

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