LIKE many families in Weymouth, we are regular users of the Rodwell Trail.

Sadly, parts of it are simply not safe to use anymore.

The use of the trail as a meeting point for groups of drunken people – both young people and the ‘homeless’ – has got completely out of hand.

This is particularly on the short stretch of trail by the Westham Halt platform and also the lookout position above Marsh Road.

Where one or two drunks may have been expected and arguably tolerated, there are now gangs of up to a dozen or so at all times of day.

On a recent cycling trip (thankfully without my kids) I had to cycle past a drunken woman squatting and urinating in the centre of the path.

I was then threatened by her male ‘friends’ for ‘having a good look’. Believe me, I’m still haunted by the sight!

Was it late at night? No. It was 2pm on Friday. The phrase ‘not in my backyard’ applies here of course.

But the backyard in question covers half of Weymouth and concerns everyone who uses the Rodwell Trail.

I know these people have to go somewhere, I know that moving them on isn’t a solution, but it seems like a very bad idea for them to be forming large groups and turning the facilities that we should be proud of into no-go areas.

For me pride is something that has all but waned away when I think of my hometown. Drinking and drunks in public places seems to be routine and expected, and even walking into town in the middle of the day makes me and my family a target for abuse, foul language, and things that are best never seen..

Mike Luke, Knightsdale Road, Weymouth