PEOPLE plagued by youngsters running and biking past their homes in Guisborough are being canvassed on an action plan that might involve demolishing a hump-back bridge.

Police and councillors are trying to gauge feeling about removing the bridge over the beck as a way of stopping anti-social behaviour in the area around Stump Cross and Rectory Close.

Coun Keith Pudney is carrying out a survey of opinion and has pledged to get rid of the bridge connecting the two areas if that is what people want.

But a campaign group leader has questioned the idea. At last week's meeting of Guisborough Town Council, members considered a letter from Beckside Park Support Group chairman, Ted Amos.

"The problem of teenagers gathering in certain areas is a perennial one and will not go away because a bridge has been demolished," he said.

"Do we demolish corner shops and car parks where youngsters also gather? I think not."

Coun Pudney has been reminding residents that the bridge is a focal point for young people and a crossing point for cycles and motorbikes.

Only recently, he said, a youth rampaged over the bridge after breaking a number of windows at Stump Cross, going on to throw a metal post through a window at Rectory Close.

At the town council meeting, Coun Dave Punshon said: "There are three paths across that beck and as long as one is operating properly as a thoroughfare, I won't worry."

Coun Pudney said: "People in their 70s and 80s are having their lives plagued out by kids running and cycling past their homes, making noise and banging on windows."

He said police had done an audit and consulting on possible demolition of the bridge was part of that. "Most people favour the idea and it originally came from the residents.

We need to look at quality of life here," he said.

Coun Brian Whiteley said the problem had been an issue in the past. "The best thing we can do is hang on to this and see the outcome of the survey."

Coun Bill Clarke was angry that as a fellow ward councillor he had not been informed of the initiative.

Coun Pudney said: "It is in order for individual councillors to take any action they see fit."

But Coun Clarke said: "The bridge is of some significance. It is beautiful and this is a hammer to crack a but. If it is a recognised path, we can't just demolish the bridge as a right of way."

Chairman Coun Barbara Punshon said: "All we can do as a town council is await the outcome of the survey and consider the issue again later."