A COUNCIL is threatening to take action against anyone who deliberately sets out to harm visitors to Hockley Woods after booby traps were set for cyclists.

Rochford District Council has issued a warning after a cyclist was hospitalised with concussion after riding round a bend and into a trap.

Traps set include logs rolled into the middle of the path and branches tied to trees to act as a barrier.

A council spokesman said: “Action will be taken against anyone found to be causing damage to trees, footpaths or recreational equipment or any other facility provided by the Council for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors to Hockley Woods or any other of our open spaces.

“We encourage anyone noting any such damage or obstructions to footpaths to report the same to the Council so that urgent remedial action may be taken to avoid injury.

“Please be advised that under the bylaws for Hockley Woods cycling is not a permissive activity. Should anyone choose to ignore the bylaw then they do so entirely at their own risk.”

Earlier this month, the council warned cyclists not to use the paths in the woods, but instead to use mountain bike tracks in Hadleigh instead.

The cyclist’s father, Paul Bateman, of Hawkwell, a keen mountain biker himself, has spoken out against whoever was responsible for the traps.

He is now working on solutions to the situation in the woods and met with the council at the end of last week to discuss the problems.