Closed
Failed tarmac repair causing hazard to cycle path
Reported by David Green at 13:07, Wed 6 November 2019
Sent to Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council 3 minutes later
A tarmac repair spanning the cycle path and footpath presents a hazard. There is a 4 inch edge to it and I was cycling around Bicester on Monday 4 Nov, slightly dazzled by the sun, and unexpectedly hit the uneven surface which threw me off my bike. I landed on my knees and elbow causing bruising and abrasions. As a 73 year old cyclist I consider myself extremely lucky that injuries were not more serious. There are several similar hazards where the cycle path runs along the A4421 ring road between Neunkirchen Way, Wretchwick Way and Charbridge Lane. many resulting from tarmac sinking around manhole covers. Some repairs have been undertaken but these are ineffective in many cases. The whole area needs a survey, risk analysis, and hazardous points signed or marked in some way. I have been cycling this route for many years and seen the cycle path steadily deteriorate. I have had some close shaves a few times before but this is the first accident. For some reason my photos don't seem to downloading to this report but I can email them to you if required.
Council ref: ENQ19846852
Updates
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Thank you for your enquiry. This issue has been passed onto the relevant team for investigation.
State changed to: Investigating
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 13:10, Wed 6 November 2019
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An example of what this stretch of cycleway looks like in many other places.
Posted by David Green at 14:15, Wed 6 November 2019
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It has taken 2 months for my knee to recover from damage caused by this accident. I have just ventured out on my bike again today for the first time since the accident and retraced my 'steps'. Nothing has been done to improve the cycle path and you have given no response as to what action you may be able to take. I carefully cycled over the place where I had my fall and it is quite clear that the edge of the tarmac is sufficiently high to twist the handlebars out of your hands if you are travelling at speed, possibly holding the handle bars loosely and either do not see the hazard or do not expect the impact of cycling over it to be quite so severe. Many of the uneven surfaces along this section of the cycle path have been 'feathered' but this particular repaired area remans a dangerous hazard. At the very least it needs painted hazard markings as an interim measure and I intend to paint these myself in due course if official resources are unable to make any progress. My initial comments about the whole section of cycle path requiring survey and repair reman valid. It would be good to have some official response on plans for this.
Posted anonymously at 12:31, Sat 4 January 2020
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This report has been closed. However the issue has not been ignored and we are currently in the process of investigation works along the Bicester Ringroad for work to hopefully happen in the new financial year.
State changed to: Investigation complete
Posted by Oxfordshire County Council at 13:01, Fri 15 January 2021
This report is now closed to updates from the public. You can make a new report in the same location.