CYCLISTS who continue to flout a bylaw banning them from riding in Nailsea's main shopping precinct are being warned they risk being issued with a £50 fine.

Nailsea Local Action Team has been campaigning for several years for a crackdown on people who ignore the by-law and continue to cycle in Somerset Square and Colliers Walk.

Following mounting concern from the community safety group, new no-cycling signs have been painted on the main entrances to the precinct.

Action team members also joined forces with the police to produce a leaflet that will be handed out to anyone spotted on their bikes in the area.

The leaflet warns anyone contravening the bylaw, which was introduced by the former Woodspring District Council in 1977, risks being fined.

The leaflets, of which 200 have been printed, will be handed to anyone spotted riding in the precinct.

Action team chairman John Hunter said: "I am delighted these actions have been taken which both send a clear message cycling is not allowed and will not be tolerated in the precinct.

"I hope the new signs and the leaflets drive this message home."

The action team carried out a survey in March 2005 following concern from residents and traders about the levels of cycling in the precinct.

Over the last several years there have been a number of near misses when riders have nearly collided with pedestrians.

The survey was carried out over 12 days during which time 116 people, 61 of whom were youths, were seen cycling in the precinct. A further 11 adults were seen cycling in the pedestrianised shopping centre.

Action team chiefs plan to repeat the survey over the same period next March to see if the anti-cycling measures have had an impact.

Mr Hunter added: "There have been a number of very near misses involving cyclists and pedestrians in the precinct.

"The purpose of these measures is to protect shoppers, particularly more vulnerable people including the elderly, disabled and young children.

"An incident where a cyclist collides with a pedestrian can be particularly nasty and have long lasting effects, especially for the more elderly members of the community.

"We plan to repeat the survey in March to see if the measures which have been put in place have led to a drop in the number of people cycling in the precinct.

"The local action team will continue to monitor the situation in Somerset Square and Colliers Walk."

The town centre is owned by Development Securities, which bought the site last October.

Shopping centre manager Jim Lucas said: "People have raised concerns about cycling in the precinct and we have listened to those concerns. Cycling in a pedestrianised precinct is a very dangerous practice and we hope people take notice of the new signs."