Cyclists should learn to ride on roads not pavements
I am writing this letter to enlist the support of Wiltshire Council, and its elected members, to instigate a method that will make it clear to all, that the pavements in our towns are primarily for pedestrians – and only when legally designated, can they be use as a dual footpath.
I am sure many of our older generation who wish to walk safely around our towns will have similar complaints that the pavements are being made more and more unsafe due to the increase in cyclist riding (often too fast) along, what is a narrow pedestrian footway - in very close proximity to traffic that travels at 30mph - which we all know, can kill should we step into the road !.
This complaint is levelled at both adults and children. I can cite two specific situations a 18 -20yr old male riding his bike on one wheel up the pavement in Melksham on Saturday, May 20 at midday – when a lot of people were in town shopping.
And young children being taken home from Alaric School in Kings Road, Melksham where the pavements are particularly narrow, on both sides. Some parents are either on a bike themselves or walking some distance behind. In both cases oblivious of what they are teaching their children.
We currently have a new Highway Code which has been written with a strong bias towards cyclist. This I have no problem with, provided the pedestrian have a right to a safe passage and not to be at risk of being either, involved in an accident or personally injured by selfish cyclists.
All of the above relates also to the illegal scooters now very prevalent in our towns. The present situation being that the law makers, do not see the importance of correcting the law to support the police. Some forces have taken a very robust stand and will confiscate scooters when not on private land – as the law states.
Finally, I make an apology to a mother who, though riding on the road, felt that her son was safer on the pavement, but was unable to see that had she taught the child to ride on the road alongside her he would be safe, as would the pedestrians. I regret that it was an unfortunate incident that allow us to be angered by the subsequent conversation.
Chris Pickett
By email
Invest in roads
It seems that the Cabinet in Wiltshire Council is receiving complaints from across the county regarding the ‘third world’ state of our roads and the speed with which potholes are appearing and being filled.
The reality is that most of our roads are in urgent need of major rather than cosmetic surgery! Many were laid down in the days of the horse and cart and have foundations inappropriate to the demands now being placed upon them. The B3098 and Cheverell Road would be classic illustrations of where inadequate foundations now bring broken edges and surface failure.
The demands - recently compounded by the permission for 18.5m trucks to be used on our roads from May31 - placed on road surfaces by the torsional stresses of rigid vehicles, including buses, and drawbar/semi- trailers with multiple axles is evident in locations such as the notorious Black Dog junction on the A361.
If we are to receive the economic benefits of cargo movement by road, we must invest heavily in improving them to accept these heavy burdens - permitted gross laden weights of 44 tonnes are not uncommon. The costs of HS2 would have gone so much further here!
Nigel Carter
Great Western Close
Devizes
Messy not farcical
For Cllr Stewart Palman to describe a democratic vote as a farce is unfortunate.
Democracy is a messy and expensive way to run a country but it happens to be the best. However, looking at the Trowbridge Council Tax increases over the past five years there does appear to be a serious lack of hands-on financial discipline. This is particularly so when measured against a National average figure for band E for 2023/2024 of £172.80 vis Trowbridge £269.27.
Therefore, it would seem to me that Dr Andrew Murrison’s comment carries considerable weight and I would ask if Wiltshire County Council could help pull Trowbridge Council into line financially with the national average council tax figure.
Peter T Frost
Castley Road
Trowbridge
Forward planning
We are having an excess of entertainment in Devizes at the moment, and a distinct lack of joined-up thinking.
Last weekend saw the excellent International Street Festival on Saturday and Sunday. This coincided with the annual Health and Well-being showcase, also held on the Green on the Saturday.
In just a few days, we will see the start of the Devizes Arts Festival, which runs for two weeks and coincides with the Twinning Association's events - I hear there was some contention for the use of various venues around town. Then, the day after the last Arts festival event, it's time for Party In The Park!
We have a barren period of almost three months before the August Bank Holiday, where the Fulltone Music[1] Festival seems to have bagged the International Street Festival's usual dates.
In short, we have crammed a wealth of diversions into a very short time period, where with a little thought and cooperation organisers could have spread these events out over the summer, reducing contention for the town's venues and providing a flow of events.
Declan McSweeney
Victoria Rd
Devizes