MERKINCH Community Council are writing to the Northern Constabulary and the Housing Department to demand that something be done about the noise of motocross bikes in the West Field. “The noise is unbelievable - you can’t hear the TV, you can’t hear yourself think,” one member told the community council’s September meeting. “It’s been a nightmare during the hot summer - you couldn’t have your windows open for the racket.”

It was reported that one woman told a community councillor that she had been on night shift for six weeks and had hardly slept because of the disturbance. Chairman Clair Pieraccini said the noise could even be heard in Scorguie, and that the matter needed to be given a higher priority. It was also pointed out that the bikers’ behaviour was not only noisy but dangerous. The West Field was public land, yet the bikes were coming up over a hill six or eight feet in the air.

It was a case of the pleasure of the few causing a headache to the majority.

Councillor Peter Corbett said it was definitely causing a disturbance of the peace, and members heard that there were two supposed to be coming up in court soon. The police said it was a question of getting statements and evidence. Councillor Chrissie Cumming added, “Our biggest difficulty is getting people to complain.” At one time the lads were taken to the course at Ardersier, but this was no longer the case.