Cycling route is danger to drivers, says resident

A popular cycling route has been slammed as a ‘dangerous nightmare’ by a resident living just off the B8024.

Nellie Carsten says she is too scared to leave her home due to an unprecedented number of cyclists using the single-track road between Tarbert and Kilberry, which she claims is a death-trap because of overgrown verges.

‘Although they cut the grass, the council hasn’t cut the trees or shrubs along this road for years so the visibility is awful and makes the road incredibly dangerous,’ said Mrs Carsten.

‘You can’t see passing-places or the cyclists and I’m really afraid someone is going to get hurt. I am frightened to drive on the road and only venture out once a week for food and medication that I can’t do without.’

Mrs Carsten added that the number of bikes using the road is unprecedented and said she thinks it is due to people practising for the popular Kilberry Loop Sportive.

‘I’ve never seen so many cyclists on the road and they’re not using it to get from A to B, they are using it as a race track. I’m sure the race is a great event, but the cyclists training for it are making life hard for those of us who live here, just by their sheer number and the fact that the passing places are unusable because they’re so overgrown.’

Mrs Carsten has called Argyll and Bute Council with her concerns.

A spokesperson for the council said: ‘The council has completed seasonal grass cutting of the verges along all 35 miles of the B8024. Council inspectors will carry out routine inspections to determine if any overhang is causing an obstruction to the route.

‘Once the inspection is complete, letters will be issued to landowners requesting that essential maintenance is carried out.’

Kintyre and the Islands councillor Anne Horn said: ‘If the condition of the shrubs and trees on the B8024 is on council land then this will be inspected and dealt with urgently. If the problems lie with private landowners then they will be advised that they should take action to clear the areas causing concern without delay.’

The Kilberry Loop Sportive is a popular event, but Mrs Carsten is worried cyclists in training are at risk due to trees and shrubs along the route blocking drivers’ visibility.