Comments on: PATH ADJACENT TO RIVER HAMBLE (EAST SIDE) FROM A27 to WARSASH

By: Southampton Cycling Campaign » Hamble path update

Southampton Cycling Campaign » Hamble path update — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:56:11 +0000

[...] path) as a restricted byway, therefore available to cyclists. We have covered the issue in articles here, here and here. Hampshire County Council has recently reported this will be investigated this as a [...]

By: admin

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:56:50 +0000

Update from John (CTC Hampshire):

There’s plenty in this conflict to interest the newspapers!

The Daily Echo printed a story and photograph on Friday, and it’s on the web at
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4788950.Angry_backlash_over_cycle_ban/
(I wonder whether “the National Association of Cyclists” means CTC?)

For a more detailed and helpful piece of reporting, see
http://www.locksheathpeople.co.uk/news/CATS-bikes-Formal-Campaign-Cycling-ban-Locks-Heath-8217-s-Warsash-Swanwick-Footpath/article-1560908-detail/article.html

By: admin

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:55:58 +0000

Update from Heather:

The police notice banning cycling has now been removed (4th December), but the county no cycling sign remains. These notices on the Warsash residents forum is a wonderful example of how to gather evidence to prove that a footpath should be converted to a bridleway or restricted byway. There are several more similar ones in the county. we need to do the same for these, but where is the most appropiate web forum to do this?

By: Mike Cummins

Mike Cummins — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:53:17 +0000

I guess mr Jefferson is not only ill informed but he is the ignorant one as there is no actual ban on cycling, should he have the ability to understand what the legal position is he would discover that higher rights by cyclist might exist and therefore cyclist will continue to use the path in there normal courteous manner. It is mr Jeffersons who should consider his lack of social skills.

By: River Peddler

River Peddler — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:23:16 +0000

That website is locksheathpeople.co.uk (there are no gaps in locksheathpeople)

By: River Peddler

River Peddler — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:19:48 +0000

As a very frequent cyclist (and avid walker) on this fantastic river path, vital commuter link and stunning recreational resource, I can confirm that (unless I have obviously been seen by them) I always ring my bell, slow right down and say ‘good morning’ to walkers, even when their dogs are doing their best to snap my ankles off! I have stopped and spoken to many walkers since the absurd signs went up, and I can state that Graeme’s outlook is in my experience universally absent amongst them; they are perfectly happy to share the path with cyclists, as they have done for as long as anyone can remember.

One of the objects of the campaign to change the status of the path is to address any concerns by enabling the erection of signs warning path users of the presence of bikes, pedestrian priority etc, and to enable cycle calming measures at blind corners etc (of which there are very few on this broad gravel path with excellent visibility). This cannot be done on a ‘footpath’. Many footpaths were designated as such in the 1950s, when parish and town councils were trusted by the County to decide the status. Many of these local councils comprised land owning gentry who designated paths to suit their own narrow interests. The urgent imperatives of the modern world (carbon reduction, energy conservation, reduced traffic congestion, health promotion) are such that new ways need to be found to open up these vital shortcuts to people on bikes; narrow, selfish attitudes cannot be allowed to deter those who wish to cycle. The Rights of Way legislation (dating from 1936) is impossibly archaic in the modern context.

The good news is that the police have been confronted with the innaccurate, divisive and dangerous wording of their signs on the river path and they have removed them. The councillor responsible for initiating the No Cycling signs in response to the complaints of a very few landowners and pathside dwellers is now, having been made aware of the enormous demand and requirement for cycling on the path, actively encouraging the County to dedicate their parts of the path for cyclists use.

However it is still important that people who wish cyclists to continue to enjoy the right (currently by ‘presumed dedication’) to cycle the full length of the path submit evidence forms to enable a change to ‘restricted byway’ status. Forms can be downloaded from locksheath people.co.uk

By: admin

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 22:56:51 +0000

All comments are moderated by a human being, because the vast majority of comments are spam, which we want to prevent appearing on the site. You are not being singled out for moderation just because your comment was not approved three minutes after you sent it. I have now approved your comment, even though it’s not a sentiment which members of the cycling campaign are likely to agree with.

By: Graeme Jefferson

Graeme Jefferson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:53:55 +0000

My comment is ‘awaiting moderation’. Why? It’s not rude and there are no bad words in it. Does your filter only allow you to receive what you want to hear? I guess it’s what one comes to expect from cyclists

By: Graeme Jefferson

Graeme Jefferson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:49:23 +0000

If you cyclists weren’t so ignorant of other social users of this facility you maybe would never have been banned in the first place. Although I had no input in the ban being put in place I am all for it. There is not a single one among you who actually ever uses an audible warning device (eg bell) and you regularly scare the shoot out of me. A cough or simple “Excuse me” would suffice but you are all just too ignorant to be bothered.