A NEW church in Oswestry is asking permission from Oswestry Town Council to build a fence to stop young cyclists plunging down steps and into pedestrians.

Hope Church, which has moved to its premises in Market Gate, met with Henry Teuma, operations manager at the council, to discuss young cyclists accessing steps that could cause significant injuries.

A letter sent to councillors will be discussed at the first full council meeting of the year on Wednesday (7pm at the Guildhall), asking for permission to build a fence across council land to put an end to any potential problems with the cyclists.

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It said: “As you are aware the church owns Market Gate and the properties along it as well as the new church building.

“It is not a public right of way; however we allow pedestrian access when the gates are open.

“The town council owns the portion of land between the car park and Market Gate and we pay a peppercorn rent which allows us access.

“The issue is that young people speed across the carpark on their bicycles, across the access and hurtle straight down the steps.

“This is despite our No Cycling sign and our efforts to ask them to desist.”

Hope Church says the plan for the fencing/railing would still allow for pedestrian access but would cut off opportunities for young cyclists to attack the steps.

Mr Teuma has recommended councillors allow the fence to be put up.

Meanwhile, he has also recommended that parking bays be moved from the side of the Powis Hall Indoor Market, after complaints from drivers that they could not be used.

The bays were covered recently by temporary stalls and a motion to move the disabled bays to the rear of the hall has been put forward, which the operations manager has recommended.

Quotes will be obtained for the work but councillors will be asked to approve the move.

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An update on Llwyd Mansion will also be given to councillors while Mr Teuma confirmed there will be more site visits from both insurers and also conservation experts to carry out a survey on the state of the building.

Councillors will also be asked to consider options for the next Christmas Lights contract, with the current deal with LITE ready to expire.

Options are whether to continue or install a new contractor in time for November.