Government should drop plans to turn a section of Astwood Park into a scrambling track, according to the Minister responsible for the national park’s creation.Former UBP Minister Quinton Edness, who oversaw the 1980 purchase of the land by Government, said: “We got that land for the people of this country, particularly the people of Warwick, but for the people of Bermuda.“If they are going to put a motocross track there, no matter how small the bikes, they will still produce loud noises and fumes. It’s going to effect hundreds of people who live in that area.“The Minister and Government should back off and just do away with putting a track down there. We all wish to put in something to help children, but that doesn’t mean they should put this in a densely packed neighbourhood.”The plan was revealed by BEST on Thursday, with the organisation listing numerous concerns about the project.Among the concerns are the noise and pollution created by such a project in a national park, which is surrounded by residential properties.A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works responded that the programme will be in place on a trial basis for the first year, and organisers have agreed to stop the programme should area residents express concern.The operation will reportedly run between 4pm and 6pm on weekdays, and operate on a track designed by Department of Parks technical personal to take up “very little space in the park.”The spokesman also said: “The area MP canvassed the area and approached the Ministry on their behalf and the area residents had no objections to this area being used as a track.”Responding to the statement, Mr Edness said: “I would like them to tell me the people they spoke to in Warwick who had no objections to it, because I have not found anybody who thinks this is a good idea.”In the comments section of the story on The Royal Gazette Online, several posters identified themselves as area residents and claimed they had not been approached about the project.One poster, calling themself “lifeglobe,” said: “As a resident of Rocklands Estate, and living adjacent to the proposed track, I was not canvassed, nor has anyone from any Government Agency, contacted me as to my view on this matter.“I am aware of the 'not in my backyard view'. But at the rate that Bermuda, is losing what little open space is left, there will soon come a day when there will not be a backyard for anyone to concern themselves with.”Several other posters also identified themselves as living near the site expressed similar sentiment, saying that they also had not been canvassed.Other posters expressed their concern about the proposal, saying the park should be protected as open space and activities such as motocross should be returned to Coney Island.However others noted that more activities need to be provided to young people to offer them a positive outlet.“Blessed Assurance” wrote: “I'm all for balance, and the fact is that our youth do need more outlets and access to extra-curricular activities. That's what keeps them focused, motivated and 'off the wall.’“Clearly we need to do what we can to preserve open spaces, and we are well fed up with the 'better to ask forgiveness than permission' style of governance.”The poster suggested trying to place the proposed track at Morgan’s Point until work on the proposed developments there begins, saying: “Let's work on solutions instead of being self-righteous windbags.”Meanwhile Opposition Senator Michael Fahy asked the public to reserve judgement until more information about the proposal is available.“Once we hear officially from the Government to get a fuller understanding of the project we will all be better placed to make a judgement about the need for such a track,” Sen Fahy said.“In the meantime, I would be happy to sit down with Stuart Hayward of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) and the respective Government Ministers involved to assist the parties in coming to an understanding of their respective aims and concerns.”l If you want to post a comment just sign up on our website www.royalgazette.com — it’s as easy as that!