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Man calls for ULEZ type scheme in Colchester as 'cycling in city is not easy'

The keen cyclist and motorist claims riding a bike in Colchester is dangerous <i>(Image: Steve Brading/PA)</i>
The keen cyclist and motorist claims riding a bike in Colchester is dangerous (Image: Steve Brading/PA)

A keen cyclist claims riding a bike in Colchester is dangerous due to the lack of cycle lanes in parts of the city and high traffic.

David Huggon from Colchester hit back at criticisms made by former Colchester councillor Kim Naish.

He said: "I have a little sympathy with Kim Naish’s tirade against cyclists who use pedestrian pathways, but irresponsible cyclists are a minority.

"The fact is, it is often unpleasant and sometimes dangerous, riding a bike on the roads in Colchester."

David took his blind friend Keith Davies out on a tandem from Shrub End to Copford.

He said they cycled for three miles without a cycle lane in sight.

David continued: "It is disconcerting for a blind person to have cars zipping past at high speed, often far too close, and in the end, we had little choice but to ride on some of the pavements taking care not to inconvenience any pedestrians as far as possible.

"Cycling is not easy in Colchester.

Gazette: Friends Keith Davies and David Huggon
Gazette: Friends Keith Davies and David Huggon

Friends Keith Davies and David Huggon (Image: Pat Davies)

"Across England, more cars are on the road now than before the pandemic, and our city is no exception."

In the ideal world, David would like to see a low-emission system for the city as many cars he passed had no passengers.

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He added: "This has to stop. A few weeks ago, I saw the news saying that ancient buildings in and around Colchester are being slowly eroded by traffic pollution.

"Unless we actively discourage and penalise excessive car use, with a ULEZ style plan, Colchester is destined to remain a less pleasant city to live in.

"I was touched recently to see a group of young instructors training children in Wivenhoe to ride a bike safely.

"We need the young generation to cycle more for so many different reasons, but would you as a parent feel happy sending your child into the city centre on two wheels with so many cars around?"

A spokesperson for Colchester Council said: "We committed to doing all it can to encourage people to cycle more and drive less, having spent around £1.9 million over the last ten years on sustainable travel-related projects.

"The council was awarded £310,770 and received the Levelling Up Fund to fund schemes that aim to reduce air pollution and make Colcestrians cycle more."