Gloucestershire cycle path meets local resistance – residents say there was a better and safer solution

Plans for a cycle path through Yate in Gloucestershire have failed to impress many local residents with a petition against the path having gathered over 300 signatures

The Gloucestershire Gazette reports that many parents in Witcombe, Brockworth and Rodborough are concerned that children will no longer have a safe place to play.

Keely Barrett-Waines, a Witcombe resident, said:

“I live five doors down from my parents and grew up here. We always played outside when I was a kid, it is lovely round here because there are no roads to worry about and it is safe.

“I have a young baby and one day I am hoping she will be able to play outside my front door. But with this cycle path it will not be safe any more.”

John Hudd, also from Witcombe, expressed similar feelings:

“These houses were designed as rear entrance, the idea being it would keep children safe and away from traffic. Now there is going to be cycling traffic coming through and they won’t be safe.”

Residents have been particularly upset by the lack of information from the council. Only a small proportion of people received a letter notifying them about the scheme and the information did not appear on the website for the full consultation period – something the council blames on a technical error. The upshot was that the first many people knew about the plan was when white markings appeared on nearby roads.

Another Witcombe resident, Stephen Court, lives in one of the houses the seven foot wide cycle path will pass. He feels a safer solution could have been found.

“It does not need to come through a residential area. Rodford Way is plenty wide enough and although that would incur costs it would be the safest route.”