CYCLISTS in Ipswich today called for better treatment after workmen obstructed a main route for several days.Peter Miller, a member of Ipswich Cycle, said that all too often cyclists are not considered in the town, and he is looking to ensure cycling is treated as a respected and primary mode of transport.

Naomi Cassidy

CYCLISTS in Ipswich today called for better treatment after workmen obstructed a main route for several days.

Peter Miller, a member of Ipswich Cycle, said that all too often cyclists are not considered in the town, and he is looking to ensure cycling is treated as a respected and primary mode of transport.

He claims contractors from Kier Group, who were recently working on part of a pavement alongside the new Garrett Anderson Centre off Heath Road, did not provide any alternative route for cyclists and pedestrians, leaving them to use the middle of the road.

Mr Miller, 49, of Cowper Road in the California area of Ipswich, said: “What was particularly wrong about this case was the fact they did not have the courtesy to put up a sign saying what pedestrians or cyclists should do. The path on the other side of the road was blocked with a digger and workmen's vehicles.

“I saw one of the workmen instructing a cyclist to use the middle of the road but there were cars coming round the corner quite fast so it was dangerous.

“There was no sign to warn drivers that cyclists or pedestrians could be in the road. The group felt that it was not right.

“The path is used to access the main entrance to the hospital and to Heathside School from the west, to Copleston School and Britannia School from the east. It is the equivalent of a primary road for cyclists and walkers.

“People should treat cyclists seriously but we are struggling to get a good level of communication with the authorities on issues like this.”

An Ipswich Borough Council spokesman said: “We are committed to assisting in the safety of cyclists in Ipswich. Examples include the town centre cycling scheme.”

A spokesman for Kier Group said: “It was brought to our attention by a member of the public that gas works taking place adjacent to the hospital were in his view substandard, and that a member of the works team was impolite in response.

“A director was in immediate touch to assure the complainant that his concerns were addressed, and that appropriate measures had been taken to reiterate to the works team the Kier pledge to treat our neighbours with the utmost respect. Those works are now complete and the cycle path returned to open use.”

For more information about cycling in the town, visit www.cycle-ipswich.org.uk

Do you think cyclists get a fair deal in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk