Thorny problem for Driffield cyclist

Driffield & Rural Councillors ask landowners to tackle a "thorny problem".

 

At this time of year, many farmers begin to cut back their hedges and debris is sometimes left on the highway which can be a nuisance to motorists, especially cyclists.

It is the responsibility of the person cutting the hedge to ensure any debris is cleared away.  Usually farmers have blowers attached to their machines which clear the carriageway at the same time as the hedge is being cut.

 

 

 

 

However, local marathon runner, fund raiser and bike enthusiast Barrie Kitching his local East Riding Councillors, Symon Fraser, Felicity Temple and Barbara Hall with concerns about the dangers to cyclists from the seasonal rash of thorns which can sometimes be scattered all over the road when hedges are trimmed.

 

 

 

Barrie said, “The Government and the Council are doing a lot to encourage people to cycle but this can all end up in disaster if the hedge trimmer operators do not take care to clear up after themselves.” He added “More than once I have been left with a punctured bike to carry for miles and just recently I actually got a thorn stuck in my foot whilst carrying my bike to avoid a puncture. One time when I was out cycling with children we were all left stranded miles from anywhere, we had to get a taxi home. All we are asking is that landowners take responsibility for their work and clear the road or cycle path of thorns as part of their seasonal work routine, it’s a simple message, consider other road users and clear up your clippings.”   

 

 

 

 

Driffield & Rural ERYC Councillor Symon Fraser commented, “Whilst speaking to Barry on a cycle path near Driffield where the hedge had just been trimmed we saw two pupils from Driffield School who were cycling home, both of these youngsters had picked up thorns in their bike tyres. We were presented with a real live demonstration of the problem which Barry was raising. The hedge had just been trimmed and it looked as though considerable care had been taken to clear up and yet these two youngsters were stranded with flat tyres or tyres which would soon be flat. ”

 

 

 

Fellow East Riding Councillor Barbara Hall remarked, “More and more people are cycling either to work, to school or just for pleasure. It’s a healthy travelling option and yet these inconsiderate hedge trimmers put people at real risk and at the same time they discourage cycling, Barry is right to raise the problem, we hope that if the landowners realise what the problem is that they will take action to remove the dangers to the cycling public.”

 

 

 

East Riding Councillor Felicity Temple added, “The legal position is perfectly clear, the person trimming the hedge is obliged to leave the highway in a fit state for road users. If the cycle way is left in a dangerous case the Council could undertake the clear up and then recover the costs from the landowner or farmer. We acknowledge that most operators are responsible and do a good job but Barry’s experience is not uncommon and it illustrates a real problem which could potentially put children at risk, we hope that by raising the issue in the press the offending landowners will realise that they must take more care.”

 

 

 

Councillor Symon Fraser continued, “I know that the rules now limit when and how farmers can cut their hedges and that these rules do make it more difficult to carry out the job but it remains unacceptable for children and cyclists to be put at risk because people are not clearing up the debris which they are making, we just want the paths and roads to be usable by all.”

 

 

 

September 2009