by Julia Roberts

Motorcyclists on high-performance bikes are said to be dicing with death by using roads near Ebbsfleet International Station as a race track.

Swanscombe resident Michael Constant says the area is plagued by bikers speeding along the A2260 and B259 dual carriageways.

Mr Constant, 55, has branded their actions as motorbike madness and believes it is only a matter of time before someone is killed in a collision with a car.

He fears the area could become another ‘Death Valley’, as the A20 in West Kingdown was known in the 1980s and 1990s.

He said: “I’m not anti-bike but the problem has been going on for about five years and it is an issue I’m passionate about.

“The bikers congregate on the road and use it and the roundabouts as a race track.

"You keeping seeing these signs ‘Think Bike’ but I bet if someone gets hurt it’ll be the motorist who gets the blame. I go up and down that road most days. The situation is getting worse and it’s happening less than half a mile from the police station.”

Mr Constant, who lives in Manor Road, says as many as 50 motorcyclists gather by the roadside at any one time and have even been filmed as they ride between the roundabouts.

He says he has repeatedly reported it to the police and has enlisted the support of county councillor for Swanscombe and Greenhithe Richard Lees (Ind).

Mr Constant said he was assured the police would be issuing £30 on-the-spot fines.

He said: “I will go up there with banners and not move until something is done, if that’s what it takes. Something has got to be done to stop this madness. It’s getting like Death Valley.”

The 50mph road is covered by a clearway order, meaning no vehicle is allowed to stop for any purpose and signs are visible on pillars along its stretch.

Cllr Lees, who owns a motorbike, says it is an enforcement issue and one which he says police regard as a neighbourhood policing priority.

He has also reported incidents but believes stronger tactics are now needed.

He said: “It’s an inappropriate and dangerous use of the public highway and gives motorcyclists a bad name.

"I believe the police have a power whereby when someone is causing a nuisance they can give a warning, take a name and, if they are caught being a nuisance again, they can have their vehicle taken away.

“The police ought to turn up in sufficient numbers and warn them. I think they will soon start to get the message through.”

A police spokesman said: “We continue to tackle any motorcyclists driving dangerously.

"Speed cameras, days of action and this stretch being made a clearway have been put in place.

"Making it a clearway prevents motorists from congregating. Officers regularly patrol this area and anyone found to be breaking the law will be dealt with appropriately.”