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Last week’s letter from Mr Bailey about the Cross Newport Cycle Route was based upon very little fact.
The route’s design is based on national regulations set by the Department of Transport. Sustrans, the national cycling and walking charity, have overseen this project’s design and construction.
Sustrans has been responsible for over 10,000 miles of cycle/walking routes, which pass through rural and urban areas. The route therefore meets all the standards needed. This is not a ground breaking initiative but a facility that has been designed based upon experience from all over the country and the rest of the world. A Transport Research Laboratory report states, " there are no real factors that justify the exclusion of cyclists from pedestrian areas"
and of shared paths "cycling can be more widely permitted without detriment to pedestrians"
The path will enable cyclists and pedestrians to access large parts of Newport without battling with traffic. It will allow those not in cars, who wish to pass through the town, to do so on a clearly marked route; they will no longer have to struggle through the one way system and a myriad of roads. It will also complete the missing gap in National Cycling Network route 23, Cowes to Sandown.
The Island has been nominated for a second time by the Lonely Planets Guidebooks as one of the 10 best places in the world to cycle. This provision should enhance the reputation of the Island and encourage even more visitors to cycle and walk to help our struggling economy. It will hopefully encourage residents to leave vehicles at home so as not to add to the traffic of our already clogged county town.
There will no doubt be the odd occasion when an inconsiderate person be they, cyclist, pedestrian, dog walker or mobility scooter user, inconvenience others but this is life in general and not specific to a shared use path. I am sure there will be the odd teething problem but this is a long awaited facility and the Island will be better for it than without.
Tim Thorne
Chair
CycleWight