Cyclists allowed back on Preston Beach promenade (From Dorset Echo)

Cyclists allowed back on Preston Beach promenade

9:51am Wednesday 25th November 2009

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CYCLISTS are celebrating being allowed on Weymouth’s Preston Beach promenade next month, for the first time in almost 10 years.

The ban is set to be lifted on December 13 and cyclists are looking forward to being able to use the promenade between Café Oasis and Sluice Gardens.

Delighted members of the West Dorset section of the Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) and the Weymouth and Portland branch of the Dorset Cyclists’ Network (DCN) said it was ‘a good start.’ Ken Reed, local Cyclists’ Network spokesman, said: “We welcome a more reasonable approach towards Cycling in the borough but it begs a question: ‘If cycling can be allowed here why not on the rest of the prom?’”

He said the cycle groups remain concerned for the safety of cyclists between Preston Beach promenade and the town centre as a ban on cycling remains on the short link between Preston Beach and Brunswick Terrace.

Mr Reed said cyclists are faced with the choice of braving the Greenhill one-way system or being prosecuted for continuing to cycle.

The West Dorset CTC and the Weymouth and Portland DCN have more than 300 members in the wider Weymouth area. The DCN has 1,200 members in Dorset.

The groups are now calling for cycling to be allowed along the rest of the Esplanade, which they believe will increase business and tourism in the borough and bring it in line with competing resorts.

Anne Neale, secretary of the Weymouth and Portland DCN branch, said: “Cycling on the prom at Greenhill was approved in 2005 but this was reversed in 2008.

“We don’t know why the council changed its mind because the meetings were held in secret.

“It may have been blocked by beach traders, supported by councillors, but we will never know.

“Other resorts, including Portsmouth, have resolved similar problems but not Weymouth.

“Allowing cycling on the whole promenade would bring much needed new business to the town and beach in this recession.”

The groups said they received an email by Lara Altree, legal services manager for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, who confirmed that cycling will be allowed along the Preston Beach Promenade next month.

She also informed them that new signage will be in place by the December 13 and the bylaws will appear on the council’s website.

A council spokesman refused to comment at this time because they did not want cyclists to ‘get confused’ and risk being fined.

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