Prom wars: Cycling civil disobedience coming to Llandudno?

CTC Cymru says it may advise cyclists to break a council byelaw in order to force an issue of road safety in Llandudno to a head, reports the North Wales Weekly News.

The organisation failed to secure the provision of a cycle route along the town’s North Shore and believes the byelaws which supposedly ban cycling on an alternative route along the Promenade could be open to challenge as they make no specific reference to cycling

CTC spokesman Roy Spilsbury told the News that clarification was being sought from the local authority: “This should take account of counsel’s opinion commissioned in 1998 by Conwy County Council. Counsel noted that the byelaws were not well drafted.

“Also, given the width of the promenade in relation to the Parade, counsel did not consider that non-competitive cycling constituted a nuisance, and that any potential conflict with other users would not exceed the risks that are a part of everyday living.”

Mr Spilsbury said that at the time, the barrister ruled that nowhere did the byelaws expressly prohibit cycling.

The issue is scheduled for discussion at a meeting of the council’s community scrutiny committee later this month.

And Mr Spilsbury said CTC members should be aware that the council could be sued for negligence if an accident involving a cyclist occurred on the prom.

The News reports that in a message to the council’s chief executive Ken Finch, Mr Spilsbury said: “CTC is proposing to recommend to riders fearing for their safety on the Parade that they complete their journey by using the promenade.

“We trust Conwy County Council will see that this as a constructive and essential way forward,”

“If, however, it believes CTC’s action is contrary to the public interest, or is unlawful, CTC invites the council to make a comprehensive public statement to this effect.”