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Prom Wars: Norfolk campaigners say bikes on Gorleston promenade are dangerous

Plans to open up coastal front for cyclists as well as pedestrians

A Norfolk-wide group has launched a campaign against plans to allow cyclists along the promenade at Gorleston, saying that it is potentially dangerous.

The Norfolk branch of Living Streets - a national group which works to create safe public space for pedestrians - says it is against plans to lift a by-law barring cyclists from the seafront from May to September.

John Peacock, chairman of Norfolk’s Living Streets, told Norwich Evening News: “We normally agree to these sorts of things where the pedestrian flows are fairly light.

"Where we draw the line is where there are going to be heavy pedestrian flows, that are very likely on Gorleston seafront between May and September.

“We really don’t feel this is a suitable place to be having this sort of experiment.

“Gorleston prom is a lovely place to be in the summer, I have been down there many times myself. When you’re down there you like to be able to relax, you don’t want to be looking over your shoulder wondering where the next cyclist is going to be flying out from.”

He insisted that the campaign was not 'anti-cyclist', but there has been no history of an accident on the promenade.

He said: “I’m pleased to hear it’s going to be a trial. What concerns me is how they’re going to monitor it."

Trevor Wainwright, chairman of the committee and leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: “This is a trial period from May to September and we’ll review it after that. We put the idea out to the area committee and many residents came along and were generally very supportive. It is something we can monitor.

“There will be signage to make everyone aware and we encourage people on foot and on cycle to be wary of others.”

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8 comments

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a.jumper | 11 years ago
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The living streets Norfolk page says "There are no campaigns available at this time." So not exactly proud of this one then?

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Argos74 | 11 years ago
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Norfolk-wide campaign group? "1 - Campaigners in this Local Group". Spread a bit thin to campaign over a whole county...

http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/norfolk

Having said that, I looked at the seaside promenades in Great Yarmouth and Gorleston on Google Maps and Streetview. In terms of risk assessment, they feel like pedestrianised shopping precincts, but narrower. Cycling in close proximity to dogs on leads, families with prams, pushchairs and small children, and older pedestrians would scare the living bejaysus out of me. So out of preference, I'd use the roads parallel to the promenades anyway.

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Bob's Bikes | 11 years ago
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Just looked on the map the prom doesn't go anywhere it dead ends so I wouldn't have thought anybody is going to be racing along it. This does appear to be a storm in a tea cup.
I imagine that after the trial period ends and they realise that the world hasn't come to an end they will allow people to enjoy themselves without intervention from the nanny state. (see also Llandudno)

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bikerdavecycling | 11 years ago
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Why don't they look at Llandudno. They banned bikes, but then they allowed bikes and now - as expected - they've realised no problems & the bikes are staying.

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drfabulous0 | 11 years ago
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What a waste of time, I read previously that they were getting rid of the by law because nobody knew or cared about it and there were no real issues with bikes and pedestrians on a fairly wide promenade. Now there's a whole argument going on about it.

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Rupert49 | 11 years ago
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Normal for Norfolk!

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james-o | 11 years ago
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Ever seen the Promenade Anglais in Nice?

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keirik | 11 years ago
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NIMBY in Norfolk

No surprise there then

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