Continuing with issues relating to the effect bikers have been having on where I live, here is a letter a neighbour has just sent to our MP...................
Dear Anne
In common with a majority of residents of the Surrey Hills I and my family
are thoroughly sick to death of the number of cycling events taking place in
the Surrey Hills. I note that Surrey County Council seem to bend over
backwards to accommodate them and are more than happy to close roads at a
whim. Road closures are an extreme inconvenience for residents and a
financial penalty for many businesses, such as shops, pubs etc. During the
London Surrey event last month a number of shops and pubs were closed in
this immediate area that were either on the cycle route or were isolated
because of road closures and were told that there would be no chance of
compensation for lost earnings. This is surely most undemocratic and against
the rights of those concerned to trade freely. The organisers have claimed
that these events bring additional money to the community, try telling that
to those who have had to close their business for a whole day, at a weekend
when they would anticipate their income would be at it's best.
I also note that the mayor of London now wishes this particular event to be
held on an annual basis and is expecting even more entries next year. I
don't want a repeat event in Surrey, if Boris is so keen why not have a ride
London Berkshire incorporating his home town of Henley. You are no doubt
aware of the Vachery Triathlon and the reaction to that from the residents
of Forest Green, it seems that Brave Events want to do a re-run next year
much to the chagrin of local people, particularly in Ewhurst which suffered
the majority of the road closures. If such events must be run then they
should take place entirely on open roads and the competitors behave
accordingly.
Today, of course, we have the Tour of Britain with even more undemocratic
road closures affecting businesses throughout Surrey, again without even a
hint of compensation.
Every weekend the Surrey Hills is mobbed with cyclists riding with little or
no care or hindrance on the very narrow leafy lanes. The majority seem not
to come from this area but are attracted by the lure of recent major cycle
events. They seem to think that they rule the lanes round here, riding in
large groups shouting at each other without consideration to residents,
walkers, horse riders etc. For example, last weekend my neighbour was
running along Holmbury Hill Road on his way to Leith Hill when a bunch of 3
cyclists came up behind him and told him "To get off our B****y road"! This
is not an isolated incident I am aware that there have been numerous
incidents of spitting at people and bad language, bad behaviour seems to be
the norm.
What do you suggest is done to curb what has now become a menace? I am by no
means alone in my feelings, I suggest you take a look at today's Daily
Telegraph, at the article on "Lycra louts". Furthermore there is a petition
doing the rounds that should interest you, perhaps I might suggest that you
could sign it, see:
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/surrey-county-council-stop-surrey-bein
g-turned-into-a-cycle-track
I am copying this email to Helyn Clack of Surrey County Council as she
appears to be the person who is promoting the cycling events in the Surrey
Hills, even though she appears to represent Horley, which is out of the area
and is unaffected by the mayhem.
Regards
***** *******
***** ******* *******
Holmbury St Mary RH5 6NS
Dear Anne
In common with a majority of residents of the Surrey Hills I and my family
are thoroughly sick to death of the number of cycling events taking place in
the Surrey Hills. I note that Surrey County Council seem to bend over
backwards to accommodate them and are more than happy to close roads at a
whim. Road closures are an extreme inconvenience for residents and a
financial penalty for many businesses, such as shops, pubs etc. During the
London Surrey event last month a number of shops and pubs were closed in
this immediate area that were either on the cycle route or were isolated
because of road closures and were told that there would be no chance of
compensation for lost earnings. This is surely most undemocratic and against
the rights of those concerned to trade freely. The organisers have claimed
that these events bring additional money to the community, try telling that
to those who have had to close their business for a whole day, at a weekend
when they would anticipate their income would be at it's best.
I also note that the mayor of London now wishes this particular event to be
held on an annual basis and is expecting even more entries next year. I
don't want a repeat event in Surrey, if Boris is so keen why not have a ride
London Berkshire incorporating his home town of Henley. You are no doubt
aware of the Vachery Triathlon and the reaction to that from the residents
of Forest Green, it seems that Brave Events want to do a re-run next year
much to the chagrin of local people, particularly in Ewhurst which suffered
the majority of the road closures. If such events must be run then they
should take place entirely on open roads and the competitors behave
accordingly.
Today, of course, we have the Tour of Britain with even more undemocratic
road closures affecting businesses throughout Surrey, again without even a
hint of compensation.
Every weekend the Surrey Hills is mobbed with cyclists riding with little or
no care or hindrance on the very narrow leafy lanes. The majority seem not
to come from this area but are attracted by the lure of recent major cycle
events. They seem to think that they rule the lanes round here, riding in
large groups shouting at each other without consideration to residents,
walkers, horse riders etc. For example, last weekend my neighbour was
running along Holmbury Hill Road on his way to Leith Hill when a bunch of 3
cyclists came up behind him and told him "To get off our B****y road"! This
is not an isolated incident I am aware that there have been numerous
incidents of spitting at people and bad language, bad behaviour seems to be
the norm.
What do you suggest is done to curb what has now become a menace? I am by no
means alone in my feelings, I suggest you take a look at today's Daily
Telegraph, at the article on "Lycra louts". Furthermore there is a petition
doing the rounds that should interest you, perhaps I might suggest that you
could sign it, see:
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/surrey-county-council-stop-surrey-bein
g-turned-into-a-cycle-track
I am copying this email to Helyn Clack of Surrey County Council as she
appears to be the person who is promoting the cycling events in the Surrey
Hills, even though she appears to represent Horley, which is out of the area
and is unaffected by the mayhem.
Regards
***** *******
***** ******* *******
Holmbury St Mary RH5 6NS