Children, pets and pedestrians are being left “at risk” because of a missing gate, according to a neighbour whose cat was killed.
Since the gate was vandalised, people on quad bikes have had easy access to and from the South Downs close to family homes and a children’s nursery.
Dogs off their leads have also strayed into the otherwise quiet street.
Victoria Bell is urging the council to replace the gate before there any more problems and has asked for help from one of her councillors – Peter Atkinson, who represents North Portslade.
Ms Bell is one of the residents in Monarch’s View, Portslade, asking for the vandalised gate to be repaired or replaced.
The gate acted as a natural buffer between the street and dog walkers and their dogs as well as stopping quad bikers from driving straight out into Monarch’s View, just off Mile Oak Road.
Ms Bell said: “As a local resident I have become very concerned about the missing gate that leads on to a large field owned by Brighton and Hove City Council.
“The gate has been vandalised and is no longer standing, which now allows easy access for motor-cross bikes and quad bikes to ride through the residential area.
“Since the gate has gone, we have frequent drivers of these vehicles riding up the pavement at speed.
“The pavement is used regularly by residents, parents and their children who attend a local nursery and children’s centre and dog walkers who use the recreation ground and fields behind to get to their destination.
“All these are at risk from reckless bike riders and it will only be a matter of time before someone is badly hurt.
“We also have the problem of dogs running off the field and straight into the residential area.
“The dogs are running into the roads and recently our young cat was killed by a dog who was lost from its owner.”
She added: “Since the gate has gone, there is now no barrier to stop these serious problems from occurring and to reinstall the gate seems a simple and effective solution.
“After numerous calls and emails to the council, it is clear that no particular department were going to take responsibility.
“I am hoping that Peter and I can get this situation rectified and have the kissing gate reinstalled as soon as possible.”
Councillor Atkinson said: “I have been liaising with the council and the police but the most effective answer, long term, is to have the gate reinstalled and that is what we are pressing for.”
