Debate over cycling on the cob
ACONSULTATION is to be held on whether cyclists should be allowed to share a footbridge over the River Conwy with pedestrians.
Cyclists say it’s “horrendously” risky to ride along the road between Llandudno Junction and Conwy so sharing is common sense - in similar way to how both groups share Llandudno Promenade.
Now Conwy County Borough Council - which put up a sign several months ago stating: “This is a Footway. No Cycling” - has agreed to hold a consultation this month.
Campaigner Roy Spilsbury today said a consultation wasn’t necessary because sharing was a matter of “public safety”.
Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders welcomed the consultation but wants both groups to share the footbridge.
It comes after a recent meeting at Bodlondeb between Mr Spilsbury, Conwy’s Traffic & Network Manager of Environment, Roads and Facilities Victor Turner and others to thrash out a way forward over the River Conwy crossing.
Afterwards, Conwy Council told Mr Spilsbury it intends to undertake a consultation exercise “on a proposal to make the Conwy cob and bridge a formal shared use route for cyclists and pedestrians”.
He added: “I anticipate that we will be in a position to undertake this consultation towards the end of June or early July. I can appreciate that you have strong views on this issue and would encourage you to re-iterate these as part of this consultation process.
“In the meantime, I see no merit in any further debate or correspondence on the issue.”
Mr Spilsbury said there hasn’t been a reported collision on the cob between a cyclist and a pedestrian in the last decade.
He added: “There are far more potential hazards for cyclists on the highway than on the cob. It’s horrendous.”
A consultation was unnecessary because allowing the cyclists to use the cob is common sense and a matter of public safety, he said.
He said: “We are seeking an assimilation of different modes of travel. This (opposition to sharing) is achieving the opposite and achieving conflict between the different modes of travel.”
Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders said the council has a duty to protect public safety but it should also be committed to promoting healthy lifestyles, backed by the Active Travel Act.