Accident sparks call for Shrewsbury town centre cycle lane

Witnesses to the accident say something needs to be done to slow cyclists down on "race track" Wyle Cop.

The road was closed by police in the wake of Saturday afternoon's accident, but when it reopened an hour later cyclists were still reportedly speeding down the hill.

Eyewitness Mark Cooper said riders were reaching "incredible speeds".

"Any proposals to calm traffic or even close this road to cyclists and traffic has to be a positive step."

David Bickle, who lives in English Bridge Court at the bottom of Wyle Cop, said riders were using the steep hill as a race track.

"Cyclists tear down there," he said.

Mr Bickle said he had once nearly been hit by a cyclist at 7am while taking out his bins.

The rider had lost control and Mr Bickle said: "I thought if I move he will hit me so I stood my ground and luckily he missed me.

"One of the big issues is that there is no cycle lane, so I think it would be good if a proper cycle lane was put in. Maybe it's time they pedestrianise the Cop as far as Dogpole.

"They have tried to slow down traffic by putting in ramps, but it hasn't slowed down the cyclists.

"I'm a cyclist myself so I am not against cyclists. But they have got to stop using pavements if there are no cycle lanes on them."

But Councillor Miles Kenny, a keen cyclist and member of both Shrewsbury Town Council and Shropshire Council, said a cycle lane would not work on Wyle Cop.

"I don't think many motorists will pay attention to it," he said.

"There are also cars parked on one side of Wyle Cop so the congestion will be appalling.

"There is a case for a cycle lane on English Bridge but that is coming into town and is another story."

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said it was important that cyclists warn pedestrians of their presence and "not assume" they have been seen.

"With the increasing use of 'shared space' and walkways it's important that cyclists warn pedestrians of their presence when approaching from behind and to not assume that they have been seen and to modify their speed accordingly," the spokesman said.

"Likewise, when using shared spaces pedestrians should be more aware of the fact that cyclists are present."