Riverside path: We lose the battle

Essex County Council is to go ahead with the Sheepen Place to North Station Road cycle route which will involve cyclists using the narrow boardwalk, pictured above.

CCC protested against the plan because we foresee pedestrians and/or cyclists being hurt on this narrow section next to the Quilters public house in North Station Road.

Cyclists will be instructed to dismount - but how many "chavs on bikes" will do that?

Even if riders are responsible and walk their bike, they become a far wider vehicle, and it will be a squeeze for anyone to get past on the dog-legged boardwalk.

Apart from the danger, it is yet another example of cyclists being treated as second-class citizens.

CCC foresaw this problem seven years ago and asked for a bike bridge between Sheepen Place and Victoria Quay, which would have linked to the rest of the network via Causton Road.

In an amazing outbreak of dimwittedness, Colchester planning committee (with the exception of two foresighted members) turned down our plea.

That left the boardwalk route as the only option for a cycle route.

CCC said it preferred not to have a cycle route rather than having to use the boardwalk. We had "protracted negotiations" (read between the lines!) with the county council.

However, a site meeting was held (to which CCC was not invited) and the county portfolio holder Norman Hume decided the scheme should go ahead.

Last week, CCC made the decision to publicise the decision, and stories appeared in the Essex County Standard and the Gazette: we believe the likelihood of bike/ped conflict is so high that we need it on public record that we did not want this route, that is was foisted upon us.

There is still a glimmer of hope: Hilary Davis of Colchester Access Group is looking into the issue, and may decide to request widening of the boardwalk with direct access on to the bridge. The bridge is grade two-listed, but can be altered under disability legislation.

There is also a chance that the original bike bridge to Victoria Quay could be built with money from the Colchester Institute expansion scheme.

The row has highlighted the issue of what traffic engineers think is suitable for cycling.

CCC chairman Will Bramhill said: "We didn't want this path - it featured a narrow boardwalk which would endanger pedestrians and cyclists.

"Worryingly, Essex engineers still think they're putting in a cycle route if cyclists have to get off and walk. Would they put in a dual carriageway if it ends in a muddy farmtrack? No! Why should cyclists be treated any differently?"

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