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I'm absolutely furious!



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 9th 05, 04:13 PM
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Default I'm absolutely furious!

Just recently someone has erected a "kissing gate" on the tow path just
past Iffley lock on the Thames in Oxford. Before hand there used to be
a gate

This renders it almost impossible to take a bicycle through, although
it can be achieved with great difficulty.

I am absolutely furious about this, especially considering this does
indeed form part of the national cycle route no. 5 (see
www.sustrans.org.uk)

It is obviously known that this route is used by a lot of cyclists, and
obviously someone somewhere has decided they don't like cyclists and
are doing their best to block them. Now short of (illegally) tearing
this gate down, what exactly can I do about it?

Anyone else affected by this issue?

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  #2  
Old May 9th 05, 04:17 PM
Paul D
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Default

On 9 May 2005 08:13:50 -0700, wrote:

Just recently someone has erected a "kissing gate" on the tow path just
past Iffley lock on the Thames in Oxford. Before hand there used to be
a gate

This renders it almost impossible to take a bicycle through, although
it can be achieved with great difficulty.

I am absolutely furious about this, especially considering this does
indeed form part of the national cycle route no. 5 (see
www.sustrans.org.uk)

It is obviously known that this route is used by a lot of cyclists, and
obviously someone somewhere has decided they don't like cyclists and
are doing their best to block them. Now short of (illegally) tearing
this gate down, what exactly can I do about it?



Well, the first thing to do would be to find out who erected it.

Surely if it's legal to cycle on that route, then the gate would be an illegal
obstruction.

  #6  
Old May 9th 05, 04:58 PM
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Default

Of course I have written to sustrans but so far have been fustrated, it
seems no one is prepared to take the issue seriously.

Very interestingly the gate does have the provision for a sort of
lock-and-key system which it claims is for "disabled users", this
allows the gate to be removed, but you need a key.

I haven't really had any succes in finding out who the gate was build
by, I believe the lock as with all locks on the thames is owned by the
environment agency, surely a body that would want to encourage cycling.
I have about a 13 mile cycle each way to work, and I could very easily
drive, but I try not to as much as possible but it is a long way and
really I think the authorities should be doing everything they can to
make it as easy as possible to cycle!!

  #7  
Old May 9th 05, 05:19 PM
Paulmouk
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Default


"David Martin" wrote in message
...
On 9/5/05 4:13 pm, in article
,
" wrote:

Just recently someone has erected a "kissing gate" on the tow path just
past Iffley lock on the Thames in Oxford. Before hand there used to be
a gate

This renders it almost impossible to take a bicycle through, although
it can be achieved with great difficulty.


It is obviously known that this route is used by a lot of cyclists, and
obviously someone somewhere has decided they don't like cyclists and
are doing their best to block them. Now short of (illegally) tearing
this gate down, what exactly can I do about it?


1. Find a family with a trailer and the local press.

2. Find a disabled user of the towpath and bring an action under the
Disabilities Discrimination Act if you cannot get the wheelchair through

the
gate.

..d


2. Find a disabled user of the towpath and bring an action under the
Disabilities Discrimination Act if you cannot get the wheelchair through the
gate.

Hear Hear.
There are gates where it is a pig to get my touring bike through (due to
'cages' being built for short road bikes). Others have restrictions at knee
height which means panniers have to be removed and replaced each time.
There's no way a wheelchair/mobility scooter will go through. (my dad uses
one).
I have always thought that it is discriminatory to allow pedestrians access
but not allow access for the disabled.
However, since the act came in, none of the gates I know of, have been
removed.
Does anyone know if such gates definitely come under the auspices of the
act?
If so, then is it sufficient that access is prevented? ie Does it actually
have to be a disabled person that makes the complaint?

Paul.





  #8  
Old May 9th 05, 05:21 PM
Simon Brooke
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Posts: n/a
Default

in message .com,
') wrote:

Just recently someone has erected a "kissing gate" on the tow path
just past Iffley lock on the Thames in Oxford. Before hand there used
to be a gate

This renders it almost impossible to take a bicycle through, although
it can be achieved with great difficulty.

I am absolutely furious about this, especially considering this does
indeed form part of the national cycle route no. 5 (see
www.sustrans.org.uk)

It is obviously known that this route is used by a lot of cyclists,
and obviously someone somewhere has decided they don't like cyclists
and are doing their best to block them. Now short of (illegally)
tearing this gate down, what exactly can I do about it?


Complain to your councillor (if it's in the area of the council you
elect), to your MP, and to Sustrans.

--
(Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
Just as defying the law of gravity through building aircraft requires
careful design and a lot of effort, so too does defying laws of
economics. It seems to be a deeply ingrained aspect of humanity to
forever strive to improve things, so unquestioning acceptance of a
free market system seems to me to be unnatural. ;; Charles Bryant

  #9  
Old May 9th 05, 05:22 PM
Simon Brooke
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

in message , Paul D
') wrote:

On 9 May 2005 08:13:50 -0700, wrote:

Just recently someone has erected a "kissing gate" on the tow path
just past Iffley lock on the Thames in Oxford. Before hand there used
to be a gate

This renders it almost impossible to take a bicycle through, although
it can be achieved with great difficulty.

I am absolutely furious about this, especially considering this does
indeed form part of the national cycle route no. 5 (see
www.sustrans.org.uk)

It is obviously known that this route is used by a lot of cyclists,
and obviously someone somewhere has decided they don't like cyclists
and are doing their best to block them. Now short of (illegally)
tearing this gate down, what exactly can I do about it?


Well, the first thing to do would be to find out who erected it.

Surely if it's legal to cycle on that route, then the gate would be an
illegal obstruction.


Yup, it must be. A cyclepath is a highway, and it is illegal to obstruct
a highway.

--
(Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; "If I were a Microsoft Public Relations person, I would probably
;; be sobbing on a desk right now" -- Rob Miller, editor, /.

  #10  
Old May 9th 05, 05:32 PM
JLB
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

wrote:
Of course I have written to sustrans but so far have been fustrated, it
seems no one is prepared to take the issue seriously.

Very interestingly the gate does have the provision for a sort of
lock-and-key system which it claims is for "disabled users", this
allows the gate to be removed, but you need a key.

I haven't really had any succes in finding out who the gate was build
by, I believe the lock as with all locks on the thames is owned by the
environment agency, surely a body that would want to encourage cycling.
I have about a 13 mile cycle each way to work, and I could very easily
drive, but I try not to as much as possible but it is a long way and
really I think the authorities should be doing everything they can to
make it as easy as possible to cycle!!

As I understand it, the right to use a right of way includes the right
to use a bicycle along the route.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-cou...issues/public/

.... says: "Protecting Rights of Way"

"Highway authorities (usually synonymous with surveying authorities)
have a duty to assert and protect the rights of the public to the use
and enjoyment of any highway. In this instance, ‘highway’ includes
rights of way. This means they are obliged by law to keep rights of way
open and useable. There are various provisions that assist in carrying
out this duty."

"It is an offence to wilfully obstruct free passage along a highway
without lawful authority or excuse. Anyone can take out a prosecution
against those who obstruct a highway. In addition, highway authorities
may secure the removal of obstructions by serving notice on the person
responsible for the obstruction. If that person fails to comply with the
notice the highway authority is entitled to arrange for the removal of
the obstruction at that person’s expense."

"New powers, to be introduced under the Countryside and Rights of Way
Act 2000, enable any person to serve notice on a highway authority
requesting it to secure the removal of an obstruction. Such a notice may
lead to an order requiring the removal of the obstruction being imposed
by a magistrates’ court. In addition, the 2000 Act already provides for
a magistrates’ court to order the removal of an obstruction following a
conviction for wilful obstruction. Failure to comply with such an order
can lead to further fines, which may be imposed for each day the offence
continues. For more details about these provisions of the Countryside
and Rights of Way Act 2000,
http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-cou...e/cl/index.htm "

"The Government expects authorities to ensure that any obstructions they
discover, or have reported to them, are removed as soon as is reasonably
practicable."

--
Joe * If I cannot be free I'll be cheap
 




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