10/06/13…..Cyclists & skateboarders to be slowed down

FOLLOWING concerns raised by local people about a sloped path where cyclists and skateboarders travel at speed from a Thame play area into a road, Thame Town Council has agreed to install a permanent safety barrier.

The path in question leads from the Queen Elizabeth play are into Harrison Place, in Thame.

The perceived dangers posed by the path were raised at the recent annual town meeting and, following a site visit by Councillors and the subsequent installation of a temporary barrier, the matter was discussed at last week?s Culture, Leisure and Recreation committee. Two residents from the area expressed their fears for the safety of bikers and skaters ?flying? out into the road, and for cars parked near by.

In a report to Councillors, the town clerk, Helen Stewart, said: ?The path has a gradient that invites both cyclists and skate boarders to use it as a run way. The momentum gained going down the path is quite significant and since there is no barrier between the road and the path there is no mechanism to stop egress directly onto the road.?

Various ideas, including those for a cattle grid and humps, were rejected in favour of installing a staggered barrier plus a fence line along the line of the bollards that are currently in situ. A sign to indicate traffic was also proposed.

The total cost was estimated to be