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City leader says no to seafront cycling
CYCLISTS won't be allowed to ride on Southsea promenade this summer after a U-turn by Portsmouth's top councillor.
Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said he wouldn't allow bikes to use the seafront pathway as it was too dangerous.
This is despite more than 3,000 people backing the idea during a public consultation, while only 1,317 voted for little or no promenade cycling.
When the results were revealed in March, a trial was planned for later this year.
But Cllr Vernon-Jackson has remained against the idea.
Despite a fall-out with some fellow Lib Dems who want bikes to use the promenade, he told The News: 'There will be no cycling on the promenade.
'It will remain for pedestrians only. There is a lot of concern about safety.
'There is obviously significant demand for a seafront cycling route but the promenade is too narrow to safely provide one.'
The council now plans to create a cycle lane on the seafront road, although details are still being finalised.
Fellow Lib Dem Cllr Lynne Stagg, in charge of traffic and transport, said she was 'disappointed' by Cllr Vernon-Jackson's decision.
She said: 'We need to get more people cycling to improve health and reduce obesity. I am disappointed.
'The majority of cyclists are not a problem and are perfectly safe, it is the miscreants that ruin it for everyone.'
Portsmouth Cycle Forum urged the council to provide an alternative seafront route.
Chairman John Holland said: 'We are disappointed, but we are pleased the city council is going to go ahead with some sort of cycle route, although this has to be safe.'
Cllr Luke Stubbs, Tory spokesman for traffic and transport, backed the decision not to allow bikes along the promenade.
But he claimed the consultation process had been pointless.
'Like so many council consultations, this one looked like it was designed to produce a particular response,' he said.
'Unfortunately it seems Cllrs Stagg and Vernon-Jackson could not agree on what outcome they wanted, so he's had to pull rank.
'What a farce.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -4 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
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Sunny
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