No go for gopeds

12.53.18pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 24th Oct 2005

MP Vincent Cable welcomed the statement yesterday evening from borough police commander Chief Superintendent Edwards, in Hampton, that the local police would "go after" unlicensed, uninsured motorised cycles and scooters (Gopeds) which have been a growing nuisance to residents near local parks.

Vincent Cable and local councillors have been trying to persuade the police and the council' s environmental health department to take the problem seriously after large numbers of complaints from residents around Crane Park in Whitton and Heathfield. The vehicles are far noisier than road vehicles and have been operating late into the evening throughout the summer. A court ruling this week, however, will in future require these vehicles to be fully licensed and insured and for their owners to be properly equipped with safety features, notably helmets.

Vincent Cable said: "quite a few local children have a lot of fun with these vehicles. But they and their parents perhaps don't appreciate that the loud, high pitched whine from the engines has become a major nuisance. There is also a safety issue for pedestrians and riders. The local police have now identified this issue as one of anti social behaviour and will take action in future".