QUAD bikers are ruining part of the Valleys countryside by causing misery for walkers, tourists and residents, according to the local community.

Off-road vehicles have been seen driving along public land at Manmoel Crossing in Argoed.

Argoed councillor Leon Gardiner described it as the “rape of our valley”.

He said it is one of the most beautiful spots in the area and said it is being ruined with banks and trees ripped up.

“Our fathers and grandfathers would be turning in their graves if they could see what was happening there after they restored it when the pits finished,” he said.

Cllr Gardiner added: “To see this valley now and the heartbreak of people here is unbelievable. It’s not only affecting the elderly people of our village but the young people and our wildlife.”

He said money has been spent on creating National Cycle Network Route 467 between Blackwood and Markham along the old railway track and said the Sirhowy Valley Path has proven popular with walkers, cyclists, tourists and horse riders who are now being put off from using it by the off-road vehicles.

Cllr Gardiner said: “It’s a place to live and we want people to come here and work here.

“If there is a way around it please come together and let’s find a way of solving it.”

Local resident Len Pearce described the area as a “bomb site” and said it was no longer a beautiful valley.

He said the bikes have used the countryside like a race track cutting down trees in the process.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said he had seen young children on the bikes and up to 30 quad bikes in the area at the same time. He said some go particularly fast and lack exhausts, making a lot of noise.

Vehicles will be crushed

A GWENT Police spokeswoman said: “These vehicles can not only pose serious dangers to pedestrians, other vehicle users and the riders themselves but also cause significant damage to our environment and local landscapes.”

She said police are aware of residents’ concerns and said the neighbourhood team is patrolling the area and will be issuing warnings to anybody found to be using off-road bikes illegally.

Any repeat offenders will have their bikes seized and crushed. She appealed to anyone with information about the identity of those responsible to call 101.