The future of motorbike scrambling at Flappit looks grim as Bradford Council stands firm.

Following last week's dramatic developments, in which quarry owner Cedric Gillson offered to donate land to the Auto Motorcycle Union for use as a formal bike park, Bradford Council's has said such an event is impossible.

In the face of massive public outcry against plans to close the lay-by at Flappit, an attempt to stop illegal scrambling at the site, Cllr Anne Hawkesworth, of Environment and Culture, said: "The site cannot be made into a formal area for this kind of activity because of its common law status."

Cllr Hawkesworth said: "No way can a planning committee formalise this sort of thing on common land. If anything goes wrong up there it will cost the rates payers one hell of a lot of money."

The Health and Safety Executive has raised concerns about safety on the moor and linked this concern with the council's lay-by and its facilitating scrambling on the area.

If the lay-by is closed it is believed that double-yellow lines will be placed on the A629 giving police power to stop scramblers parking their transportation on the road.

Such restrictions would typically take around six months to put in place.

Danny Jackson countryside and rights of way manager, said: "We have not gone out to target these people, but as a responsible public organisation we cannot let this go on."

Another stumbling block is the noise. Environmental Protection has been monitoring the site following complaints about noise. They regard it as a nuisance and are preparing to take action.