DANGEROUS mountain bikers are riding into trouble at a Chorley beauty spot.

Countryside rangers at Rivington say bikers and walkers are clashing over the use of the area.

Now organisations such as North West Water, Lancashire County Council, Bolton Council and the National Trust are working together to ensure the cyclists do not overstep the mark.

Countryside ranger Ian Harper said: "For the majority of the time there isn't a problem. However, we are finding that in certain areas there is increasing conflict between cyclists and walkers.

"There are also concerns for the damage that is being done to certain terrain which, particularly during the recent wet weather, is completely unsuitable for mountain biking.

"Conflicts between cyclists and other users of the countryside are happening in particular around Jumbles, Entwistle, Wayoh and Rivington country parks, although we are also having problems on the high moors as well.

"We are not trying to dictate where mountain bikers should or should not go, we are simply pointing out that while they are legally entitled to use bridleways and byways, no rights of way exist on public footpaths and yet many insist on using them.

He added: "Around the reservoirs there are often a large number of walkers and we are concerned that injuries, potentially serious, could happen unless cycling can be curbed.

"Our rangers have been actively trying to achieve this, but on occasions this has brought an angry reaction from cyclists.

"The majority are not a problem, but there are certain individuals who feel that they should be able to cycle where they wish."

Leaflets have also been produced for a number of specific cycle routes and details can be obtained from Countryside Information Centres.

For further information and leaflets, cyclists can contact the Great House Information Centre on 01204 691549

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