IT is hoped the threat of fines of up to £100 will put the brakes on motorbikes and quad bikes being driven irresponsibly on the borough's green spaces.

Dudley Council is implementing a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which will cover cover Fens Pool, Barrow Hill and Buckpool nature reserves, open space at Russells Hall, plus Woodside Park, Marsh Park and Mullet Park.

Public open space in Milking Bank, Pensnett Technical College, Lapwood Avenue/Ketley Fields in Kingswinford and Pheasant Street in Brockmoor will also be included.

The decision was made following a public consultation on the back of numerous complaints from residents and politicians about noise nuisance, damage to land and fear of injury.

The PSPO, which should be in place by the end of the month and will last for three years, will give police and local authority officers the power to issue fixed penalty notices of up to £100 for those caught using an unauthorised motorised vehicle on any of the green spaces affected.

Failure to pay the notice may lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental services, said: “We have received a very positive response from our consultation and we now intend to implement the order.

“Our message is clear, we will not tolerate anti-social behaviour on our green spaces."

Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South, said he was "very pleased" that the PSPO is being put in place.

He added: "These bikes have been threatening the peace and tranquillity of our nature reserves and intimidating local residents.

“This senseless behaviour has been causing nuisance, fear and worry to so many local people for too long now, which is why I am encouraged that the police will now have increased powers to tackle the issue head-on.

“Everyone deserves to be able to enjoy and take pride in the beauty of our local nature reserves and I hope the situation will improve from here on in.”

Brockmoor and Pensnett councillor Judy Foster, said: "It's good news but I'm disappointed it has taken so long to put in place. It should have been in place before summer started."

She added: "When there are reports of nuisance on Fens Pool, the council and police need to respond. There is no point having this in place if the authorities are slow to respond."

To report incidents of motorised vehicles in public spaces, call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.