MALVERN Hills Conservators have hit out at mountain bikers who are damaging the hills by creating new trails and tracks.

Cycling is only allowed on designated bridleways on the hills, but the Conservators say that in the last month, they have received a large number of complaints about cyclists creating new trails and killing plants, endangering other hill users and eroding the landscape.

Beck Baker, community and conservation officer, said: "I’m very concerned about the number of reckless mountain bikers who are not riding on bridleways on the Hills and who appear to have no regard for others visitors and the environment. These riders are a danger to walkers, horse-riders and other cyclists."

The problem is not new, as last year complaints about cyclists accounted for 15 per cent of responses to a public consultation on the Conservators' land-management plan.

Complaints included bikes being ridden too quickly down slopes, cyclists not giving way to walkers and forcing them off paths, near-collisions and speeding mountain bikers frightening horses. There were also reports of walkers being abused when trying to confront riders.

"Trails act as new water gullies which alters the way water runs off the Hills, leading to changes in habitats and paths being washed away lower down the slopes. The damage is also spoiling areas of beauty for other visitors," she said.

"Some of the new trails open out onto existing paths or straight onto main roads, which is dangerous for drivers, walkers, horse-riders and other cyclists who are riding responsibly and legally."

She urged cyclists to make sure they know where the bridleways are and take a map such as the Ordnance Survey Explorer 190, which identifies them.

In the longer term, the Conservators will be working with all users of the hills including mountain bikers and partner organisations in a bid to solve the problems.

The plan is available on the latest news page of the Conservators’ website at malvernhills.org.uk.