AONB chairman and Suffolk County councillor David Wood has called on irresponsible cyclists to start respecting paths close to private property

Cllr Wood has also pleaded with everyone to respect the Countryside Code, clean up after themselves and park responsible.

Visitors to the Shotley peninsula have making people's lives a misery with a wide range of anti-social behaviour, with problems reported specially in Halstead, Shotley, Stutton, Tattingstone and Brantham.

Nub News reported last month how Griff Rhys Jones had complained about cyclists whizzing down a footpath next to his Stutton home (read here) issues with shellfish foragers in Shotley (read here) and problem with visitors to Harkstead beach (read here).

Now Cllr Wood, who last month announced the extension to the Suffolk Coast and Heath AONB extension covering an even larger part of the peninsular and across the River Stour into Essex, has insisted well-behaved visitors are welcome, but more care needs to be taken.

He also supported statement made by Suffolk County Highways warning cyclists that

Cllr Wood told Nub News: "Just a couple of months ago we were celebrating the extension to our marvellous Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty we have here on the Shotley Peninsula. But unfortunately it has been making the press for other reasons just lately. I am of course referring to cyclists trespassing on people's property, anti-social behaviour, littering and unreasonable parking.

"Whilst I am pleased to see people visiting and enjoying the marvellous landscape we have here on the Peninsula I would ask them to respect other people's property. Whilst it is not illegal to cycle on public footpaths it is if you have not got the landowners permission, in fact you are breaking the law by trespassing.

"I am well aware of the frustrating times we are experiencing at the moment and would encourage anyone to get out and about and take some form of exercise but I would also ask you respect others clean up after yourselves and remember when visiting our wild and natural landscape that we are all so proud of that others live here also.

"There is nothing worse than attending meetings and hearing moans and groans about visitors. I personally welcome you all as you are important to our local businesses and the countryside is open to everyone not just those of us who are lucky to live here.

"Just remember to honour the country code and respect others."

For further information go to the www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org website

A Suffolk Highways spokesperson said: "Over the last few months, during the Covid-19 lockdown, many road users have been encouraged to take up walking and cycling.

"Since the interest in cycling has increased, Suffolk Highways has received a higher number of reports regarding cycling on public footpaths, particularly on river walls, because of their narrow nature.

"Although it is not an offence to cycle on a public footpath, doing so without permission from the landowner is likely to be trespassing."

Read Highway Code for cyclists here...