‘High weeds make Basildon cycle path unsafe’ (From Southend Standard)
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting ECHONEWS to 80360, or email us Click here for details »
‘High weeds make Basildon cycle path unsafe’
8:00am Sunday 16th September 2012 in Echo News By Luke Lambert
Safety first – Paul, Laurie and Mandy Shelford on their cycles
A CYCLIST is warning others to beware of overgrown grass and weeds he says are causing a danger to cycle path users.
Paul Shelford, of Brackley Crescent, Basildon , says he cannot use the cycle path on Cranes Farm Road due to the height of the weeds which, in his opinion, could completely conceal the path soon, if they are not cut back.
Mr Shelford, 39, says he noticed the problem about six weeks ago and was worried about how it might affect his six-year-old son, Laurie, who is also a keen cyclist.
He said: “It is beyond me how Essex County Council hasn’t stepped in to sort this out. The grass is out of control and no cyclist can reasonably use this.
“The other day I was riding and came across another cyclist. I had to get off and wait for him to pass, because there was simply no room. That isn’t right, especially if children and young people want to cycle.”
Mr Shelford said he felt interest had been lost after the major roadworks to widen Cranes Farm Road last year.
“It is all very well spending millions on roadworks, but you need to look after the area once the work has been completed, otherwise it all seems rather pointless.
“The whole area, particularly the bottom of Cranes Farm Road leading to East Mayne, looks a real mess because of the weeds. It is about time it was sorted out.”
A Basildon cycle shop shares the view the cycle paths should be better maintained.
Matt Woods, assistant manager at Cycles UK Basildon, said: “There is no doubt some Basildon cycle paths aren’t looked after as roads are. Customers often come in complaining they have another flat tyre because of broken glass, and more so over the past couple of months. People want to feel comfortable cycling so we all need to get behind this.”
An Essex County Council spokesman said: “Essex Highways does acknowledge that in certain areas of the cycle path, the vegetation has become overgrown, and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to local residents.
“Essex Highways is working to determine the cutting schedule and areas for treatment along this route.”
Comments(20)
Keptquiettillnow
says...
9:28am Sun 16 Sep 12
Brunning999
says...
9:30am Sun 16 Sep 12
If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia.
What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes.
The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's.
Little John
says...
10:48am Sun 16 Sep 12
Ah, but then again, there’s another solution. Do nothing. Wait for the complaints to come in near the end of the growing season, do one cut (eventually) and then claim the situation is now under control (until next year)
Wonder which option ECC has taken?
APR
says...
10:51am Sun 16 Sep 12
cyclists very close to the edge of the road.
pink oboe.
says...
11:13am Sun 16 Sep 12
Chris Flunk
says...
12:38pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Brunning999 wrote:See the kangaroo's what?
Stop moaning mate!
If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia.
What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes.
The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's.
Ted_in_the_shed
says...
2:43pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Basildon.lad.21
says...
3:47pm Sun 16 Sep 12
howironic
says...
4:29pm Sun 16 Sep 12
E-Types..
says...
4:54pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Eric Whim
says...
4:59pm Sun 16 Sep 12
The surface of these facilities is dreadful as are many of the cycl paths in the area which have deep long ruts wider than the tyres on my bike in them as well as huge holes in places.
The sorry state of the surfacing of the track around th perimeter of Gloucester Park along with the height of the hedges make it a dangerous place for cyclist and pedestrian alike.
Maybe if they sold off some of Lake Meadows park for development they could raise enough money to fund a resurfacing and hedge/weed trimmingregime for these cycle/footpaths....
Almeda11
says...
7:08pm Sun 16 Sep 12
Little John wrote:l live in Germany for part of the year, and there the cycle paths, which are everywhere, are either on the outside of the pavement, or the inside of the road and both divided by a white line, so there is no problem with weeds!
It’s quite a simple solution. Arrange for a cut with a mower once per month, two mower cuts wide each side of the paths. Use a selective herbicide on the theses cut areas (kills broad leaved plants in lawns) along with a product called Primo Max which acts as a growth retardant. It slows down grass growth. Sorted! Ah, but then again, there’s another solution. Do nothing. Wait for the complaints to come in near the end of the growing season, do one cut (eventually) and then claim the situation is now under control (until next year) Wonder which option ECC has taken?
DogsMessInLeigh
says...
10:14pm Sun 16 Sep 12
APR
says...
10:50pm Sun 16 Sep 12
EthanEdwards
says...
10:13am Mon 17 Sep 12
howironic wrote:Good idea. Why indeed cannot the unemployed be asked to help out their community.
Here's an idea, get the perfectly healthy benefit sponges to cut them back every week.
Are there no criminals doing community service that cannot do this work?
All thats lacking is the political will to make it happen. Cameron you twit - sort it.
Blind Haze
says...
2:43pm Mon 17 Sep 12
E-Types.. wrote:'Basildon', 'high' and 'weed' in the same headline...? Surely not....
Basildon and lots of weed! Who'd of thought!
Brunning999
says...
7:00pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Chris Flunk wrote:I like that comment.
Brunning999 wrote:See the kangaroo's what?
Stop moaning mate!
If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia.
What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes.
The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's.
It all depends what time of day you look into the pothole which is even bigger and deeper now.
Nebs
says...
2:24pm Tue 18 Sep 12
EthanEdwards wrote:It is not up to Cameron. Or Clegg or Milliband or Screaming Lord Such. It is up to you. You need to suggest jobs for those on community service. You can do it online here, the link to the form is half way down the page.
howironic wrote:Good idea. Why indeed cannot the unemployed be asked to help out their community.
Here's an idea, get the perfectly healthy benefit sponges to cut them back every week.
Are there no criminals doing community service that cannot do this work?
All thats lacking is the political will to make it happen. Cameron you twit - sort it.
http://www.direct.go
v.uk/en/CrimeJustice
AndTheLaw/Sentencing
prisonandprobation/C
ommunitysentences/DG
_196050
APR
says...
2:59pm Wed 19 Sep 12
shallotman says...
9:23am Sun 16 Sep 12