Cyclist injured in hit-and-run leads to Southsea road closure protest being cancelled

Organisers of the Open The Seafront campaign aimed for large groups of people to march and cycle along Eastern Parade, which is not currently closed, at 10am today.

The protest was to highlight rising levels of congestion on roads surrounding Eastney Esplanade and Clarence Esplanade, which the council indefinitely closed on May 1 so that pedestrians can socially distance.

But now the organisers have pulled the event due safety concerns, after a cyclist was injured in a hit-and-run incident at the junction of Eastney Esplanade and St George’s Road on Thursday.

Mark Trapani, one of the protest’s organisers, said: ‘The Open The Seafront committee has received and reviewed information about a cyclist being crushed and injured between a parked car and a hit-and-run car driving along Eastern Parade on Thursday.

‘Giving the obvious concerns for safety, we have decided to postpone both our cyclist and pedestrian protests for the time being while we consider how best to proceed.’

The organisers intend for the protest to take place at a later date.

Earlier in the week, a meeting at the Tenth Hole cafe, also in Eastern Parade, saw more than 200 people discuss ramping up their opposition to the seafront road closures.

The police have been approached for more information regarding the hit-and-run incident.

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