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Bikers in Swansea may be given a new scramble track in a bid to reduce illegal off-road motor biking on mountains and wasteland.

The idea is that it will attract bikers who might otherwise be tempted to of go off-road and cause problems in local neighbourhoods.

Designed by the Auto Cycle Union, the venue would include tracks for various ages and experience levels, and if approved for a 12-month pilot will be the first project of its kind in Wales.

The track currently awaits council backing, but it has already won the support of South Wales Police and the Safer Swansea Partnership.

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Joan Peters, local cabinet member for community Regeneration, said: "Off-road motorcycling is a huge problem for many communities in Swansea and the rest of the UK.

"It is extremely noisy and can cause damage to our mountains and green areas.

"We want to minimise the impact these activities have on residents and communities by providing a designated area where off-road motorcycling can be controlled."

However, others have argued that these objectives will be compromised by having the track only a few hundred metres from local homes.

Residents have also questioned whether the scheme will result in any tangible reduction in antisocial behaviour.

The proposed track would be built on council-owned land on Garth Farm in Ynystawe.

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