A Bradford police chief has warned off-road bikers and quad bikers they could have their machines seized in a crackdown on dangerous and illegal motorcyclists on a road near the Flappit site.

Bradford Council has closed a layby near Cullingworth to bikers riding in the former Hallas Rough quarry – sparking anger from those who use it.

Now police have vowed to take tough action against riders who park nearby and take uninsured and unlicensed off-road or quad bikes across the A629 on to the site.

Chief Superintendent Allan Doherty, commander of Airedale and North Bradford Police, said there was a “real concern” for public safety.

The Council closed off the area on health and safety grounds after the death of Mark Clifford, 45, who died when his quad bike flipped over in one of a series of accidents at the site.

Chief Supt Doherty said: “Riders who take off-road vehicles on the A629 face having their vehicles seized.

“We also need to make it clear to people who visited the Flappit for off-road riding in the past that they will be committing an offence if they continue to do so and police will be taking robust action.”

Police will patrol the Flappit over the next few days, said Chief Supt Doherty.

“There have been serious accidents there before and while the site is used by some riders who are skilled, some very young people who go there will be at risk,” he said. “The land is not designated for this kind of use and we have a duty to ensure public safety.”

But mobile cafe owner Mirelle Duncan, whose food wagon was on the A629 before the layby was officially closed on Tuesday, said many riders would not be put off by the police’s warnings.

Miss Duncan, a single mother, said: “It is too big an area for police to patrol. Just because they (the Council) have blocked the layby, it doesn’t mean people can’t get on the land. There is such a vast number of people who will definitely use it.

“It has already been rife with police there, but I live down in Cullingworth and I could hear bikes up there last night. There is still going to be people up there.”

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture, said: “I am grateful the police are assisting in this process at this rather sensitive time.”