Commissioners are urging residents to report motorists who are making public walkways unsafe.

Lezayre Commissioners are concerned as motorists are illegally driving on public rights of way and making the paths dangerous for pedestrians to use.

The northern parish has several walkways which are designed to offer residents a safe place to walk by prohibiting both motorists and cyclists from using them.

Twelve months ago, the commissioners were approached by the landowner of a public walkway known as ’Dale Lane’ in Sulby, who sought help as the footpath was being abused by motorised vehicles, most of them being motorbikes.

Signs were placed at each end of the footpath by the government’s Department of Infrastructure to reinforce the fact that no motorised vehicles were allowed access to the path.

A gate was fitted at the Claddagh end of the path and letters were also delivered in the area advising the correct use of the footpath.

However, the signs were ripped down and the gate and fence were also destroyed and according to the commissioners the footpath continues to be abused.

Police have told the commissioners that without incidents being reported, there is little that they can do.

The local authority is now asking anybody who witnesess any incidents of motorbikes using the footpath to report the incident to Ramsey police on 812234.