CATS Campaign: No Cycling on Locks Heath’s Warsash/Swanwick Path Latest Report & User Evidence Form
By TinaGarner | Friday, March 19, 2010, 18:04
CATS – the Cycle along the Shore campaign to fight for the rights of cyclists to use Locks Heath’s Warsash/Swanwick footpath continues to get overwhelming support from Locks Heath / Western Wards residents. To date 187 User Evidence Forms have been received by CATS, more than for any other path in Hampshire.
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CATS Campaign to overturn No Cycling ban on Hamble River Footpath
CATS leaders met with officials from Hampshire County Council in January to determine the best way to get their rights recognised. CATS are asking Hampshire County Council to designate the path from Warsash to Universal Marina for mixed use, leaving just the short stretch of shoreline from Universal Marina to Lower Swanwick as pedestrian only.
In the meantime, officers at Hampshire County Council and CATS are both continuing to collate information on the footpath.
The Footpath User Evidence form is available here. This needs to be downloaded, printed and filled in, then returned to:
Hampshire County Council, Rights of Way Section, Room 200, Mottisfont Court, High Street, Winchester, SO23 8ZF.
You can also add to the evidence by emailing the CATS petition on Warsashcats@btinternet.com, giving your name, your postcode, the year you began to cycle along the Hamble River path and the number of times you use it each year
For all those who are continuing to cycle along the path the message from CATS is to please show consideration to other users. If you are challenged or anyone tries to obstruct or prevent you from cycling or jogging please let CATS know.
Organisers would like to thank everyone who has sent emails of evidence and encouragement to them – and to please keep the evidence coming in!
Comments
I was using the path to cycle all last year and am amazed at the ban ! Astonishing is the fact that cars can still use the path for access to the houses at the north end, seems to be no safety issues there!! Would love to know if a dog bites someone on the path will they ban dogs to , probably not !
By GSL2010 at 12:00 on 29/05/10
ReportHi Fight_The_Ban
Thank you so much for your comments. I just wanted to say that I am merely the reporter - all the hard work fighting the ban is being done by CATS. I am delighted to be able to put the website to such good use but don't want to take any credit for their hard work..!!
Tina
By TinaGarner at 17:27 on 09/05/10
ReportI'm disgusted by the so called ban and the hate campaign by a few NIMBYs. Cyclings been a huge attraction for the area for decades.
I've been cycling there since 2001, three or four times a week and have never startled, alarmed, or even come remotely closed to hitting anyone. I always say 'hello', exchange pleasantries, and wish everyone I meet a nice day. I stop to chat to anyone who wants a chat and have never, not once received and criticism or even a crossed word. I know most regular users by first name, as they do mine.
I not ashamed to say that I shall be ignoring the signs and I will not feel guilty in the slightest. Why, dogs aren't being banned even though its like a minefield of dog mess! I was there today and the grass by the Warsash end was littered with dog mess.
Why do the NIMBYs want cycling banned .... because they want to limit the amount of people passing their properties and making tracks in their fancy gravel. You know it and I know it, They'd ban everyone if they could! I very much doubt I'd be very wrong in identifying all the properties who've complained!
It is however a narrow path, so maybe a speed limit is a better option so ALL can enjoy the Hamble, Not just the few in their ££££££ homes who don't like the public!
I was only made aware of this group today by a sign in Hook, I kept my eye out for more signs, but I suspect they've been removed by the NIMBYs.
Good luck and thank you for your efforts Tina!
By Fight_The_Ban at 01:23 on 09/05/10
ReportI am utterly bemused and disappointed by the whole issue.
Having used the paths for walking, jogging and cycling at least once every two weeks for in excess of 30 years (man and boy), I can honestly say I have never encountered an ill word or negative experience from any of my fellow users.
I now have a young son and I taught him to ride on the path as there is a complete lack of suitable and safe routes paths in the historic village of Bursledon.
Whilst I cannot be specific about my day job this whole shambolic issue has unfortunately struck a familiar chord with me having been involved in very similar 'local' issues or, more to the point, perceived issues.
I would respectfully suggest in the vast majority of cases you will have 'fringe-characters' who will represent their views strongly for and against proposed measures aimed at combating 'perceived' issues. These views are usually personally motivated and are quite often born of a general intolerance. These individuals usually comprise no more than 2% of the local public leaving the other 98% of us merely getting on with life happily and safely using the paths as nature intended. Whether that be of the peddled variety or not.
The problem usually stems from councils whether they be local,district or county. In disproportionately reacting to the 2% and leaving the police and the rest of us 98% to deal with the fall-out of their often 'knee-jerk' decisions. I believe the police have effectively acted upon what was a massive public out-cry and removed their enforcement signs and are not trying to enforce any sort of penalty for cycling 'infringements'. I sympathise with them as they are quite often left in this position with no consultation or planning with the council yet are expected to mediate with the bemused majority.
As for the reasons as to why cyclist should not be able to use the path they range from the sublime to the ridiculous. I have it on good authority that a few (there really aren't many) fiscally fluid residents are a little disgruntled. One of the complaints unbelievably, was aimed at the odd cyclists peddling through their colour coded gravel (laid by them on the path purely for aesthetics) thus, leaving an unpleasant pattern.
Whilst I've never observed any irresponsible cycling I would imagine as in any portion of society there will be a small minority of people who are inconsiderate. I accept that as a member of society that we all have duty to educate those who are as best we can or, ask for the help from the police,council if necessary. But, to ban the majority is a completely disproportionate and unnecessary measure to what the majority of us do not see as an issue.
Come on Hampshire County council. Act upon the needs and wants of the majority and, do not pander to the few.
By natbat67 at 20:22 on 06/04/10
ReportUpdated story here.
By TinaGarner at 18:07 on 19/03/10
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