Letter: Impossible to get to shops by bike

I’m writing to you all as a resident, a cyclist and an environmentalist and I think making Oatlands Drive one way, going away from the town would be disastrous, not only for vehicles but also for cyclists.

Oatlands Drive is already one of the most cycle friendly roads in town. All it needs are some yellow lines on both sides to stop cars parking across the cycle path.

The adjoining roads York Place, Hormbeam Road and Hornbeam Chase are narrower and do not have cycle lanes. To make children cycle on there (to access Oatlands Drive) could end up causing numerous accidents. The one way would also cause all the surrounding roads to be heavily congested and a far greater danger for cyclists young and old.

The new football pitch to be build on Oatlands Drive (open until 8pm at night!) would have only one exit and would lead to queues and more traffic on the surrounding roads in the dark.

Having three children I cannot tell you how much I am against the idea of making Oatlands Drive one way. It would cause chaos and danger for the whole town.

How do residents of the Saints get to the North of town? All the supermarkets, shops, jobs and schools which are impossible to access by bike? We are trying to recover from the pandemic without making it even harder for retailers and jobs.

Suggestions on how to spend the £220,000 could be:

1. Build secure bike parking in the town. I struggle to find places to leave my bike.

2. Hold road cycling courses for those are new to cycling and have a campaign to encourage bike use where it is possible.

3. Hire or even give bikes to the most disadvantaged in the town.

4. Have slower speed limits and flashing ‘please be cycle aware’ signs for motorists.