Parish councillor calls for action against off-roaders using Sundon Pits land

​Sundon Pits covers around 65 acres and was once used for quarrying and landfill before it was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its biological importance.

​But this area for nature and walking has been tarnished by more than seven years of dangerous off-road vehicle use (including motorcycles, quad bikes, and 4x4s), fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles, and residents feeling unsafe using public footpaths.

​Nicola Mardle, from Sundon Parish Council, said the problems are worsening due to repeated unauthorised access, with serious injuries happening at the site.​

She explained: “Earlier this year, it culminated in the air ambulance attending to a gentleman who had snapped his leg.”

The parish councillor claims she was followed by someone in a vehicle while walking in the nature reserve. Nicola said: “I’ve never felt as threatened as I did at that moment, because there’s a man in a van, and I’m in the middle of basically wastelands.”

Nicola has urged Central Bedfordshire Council to do more to secure access to the site, as she claims several locks have been cut from the gate in Church Road already this year.

​She said: “It’s the fourth one that has been supplied this year.”

​A Central Beds Council spokesperson said: "The council continues to address ongoing security issues at the site and has taken steps to help manage access and improve security.

​“Further measures are currently under review, and the council recognises the impact on residents while continuing to consider the most appropriate next steps. However, the site cannot be fully secured, as authorised access is required for pedestrian access and to enable ongoing monitoring.

A large community-led clearance improved conditions in 2023 by taking out dangerous items.

Nicola said: “This sanctuary had been secured, had been cleared, had been made safe.”

But now, the issues are starting all over again, with vehicle meets promoted on social media.

The land has a mix of private owners, which means the site access needs to allow them to get into the pits.

Cllr Mary Walsh explained that the problem has been going on since she became a councillor for the ward: “There are a multitude of burnt out cars and scraps and all sorts there. We get a lot of boy racers and people off-roading on there.”

But said that the responsibility for securing the site is not down to Central Bedfordshire Council.

Cllr Walsh said: “Central Beds literally did everything it could… there’s a limit to what they can do. We can’t impose anything on the owners. It’s just one of those sites. It’s not under anybody’s control.”

The council encouraged people to report any unauthorised access, including the use of motorbikes, quad bikes and off‑road vehicles, to Bedfordshire Police.

Sergeant Benjy Conyers, from the force, said there were visibility patrols in the area to deter and disrupt offending, and it was working with the parish council and Central Bedfordshire Council to support efforts to secure the site and improve signage.

He explained: “Our Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) plays a vital role in patrolling rural areas and is carrying out targeted activity in the area, using specialist resources including drones and 4X4 vehicles.

“We also have dedicated off-road trained officers operating under Operation Meteor, who are deployed using intelligence to focus on hotspot locations and persistent issues of antisocial vehicles.”

He also urged people to let the police know about any illegal activity.

Nicola added: “I would like coordinated efforts in both the local authorities to secure the site and manage it.”