Valentine's Bridge
 A cyclist negotiating the new barriers erected at both ends of the Valentine's Bridge |
There have been items in this newsletter before about the BCC's campaign to get the Cyclists Dismount
signs removed from Valentine's Bridge, the curvy structure that connects the back of Temple Meads Station with Avon Street.
That was a success, but now there's another problem.
A BCC member has reported that on Wednesday 13 November some permanent metal barriers were erected at both ends of Valentine's Bridge. At best, these barriers are cycle-unfriendly; at worst, they are potentially dangerous. Have a look for yourself if you get the chance. We were told that the bridge is privately owned, and that the barriers probably don't have planning permission.
Further research has uncovered some more interesting things. The situation is this: the developers got WS Atkins to do a risk analysis of the bridge, which said that there was a risk of cyclists falling off on the bridge, because of its surface. There do not appear to have been any such incidents, but the developers claim that they have received a number of letters from cyclists threatening to sue them for damages caused in such incidents.
Barriers were proposed at each end to slow down cyclists, and the council was asked whether they would need planning permission. The council told them that not only would they need permission, but that it would probably be refused. The council suggested resurfacing the bridge and offered to help financially. The developers went ahead and put the barriers in anyway.
The barriers themselves will create annoyance, irritation, delay and danger, a clear case of the cure being worse than the disease. If any cyclist/pedestrian should be injured at these barriers, they would have a very good case for suing for damages (not that we are suggesting that anyone should do such a thing!).
The council are just as perturbed by the barriers as we are, and are seeking to take action against the developers for planning breaches, but it is not clear whether this will be successful, as there are some arcane rules about height of constructions which apply.
Demo
The BCC organised a very successful demo at the bridge on Saturday 22 November, which generated some local media attention. But we need to keep the pressure up write to your local councillor to make sure the council know that we support them(!) and to give them ammunition to use in the legal chicanery.
This event was also a significant first for the BCC's new SmartGroup email discussion group, which allowed us to spread the word and mobilise people very quickly.
If you have email, you can join on the web by going to the contacts page on the BCC web site.
