‘High weeds make Basildon cycle path unsafe’

8:00am Sunday 16th September 2012 in News By Luke Lambert

Safety first – Paul, Laurie and Mandy Shelford on their cycles Safety first – Paul, Laurie and Mandy Shelford on their cycles

A CYCLIST is warning others to beware of overgrown grass and weeds he says are causing a danger to cycle path users.

Paul Shelford, of Brackley Crescent, Basildon , says he cannot use the cycle path on Cranes Farm Road due to the height of the weeds which, in his opinion, could completely conceal the path soon, if they are not cut back.

Mr Shelford, 39, says he noticed the problem about six weeks ago and was worried about how it might affect his six-year-old son, Laurie, who is also a keen cyclist.

He said: “It is beyond me how Essex County Council hasn’t stepped in to sort this out. The grass is out of control and no cyclist can reasonably use this.

“The other day I was riding and came across another cyclist. I had to get off and wait for him to pass, because there was simply no room. That isn’t right, especially if children and young people want to cycle.”

Mr Shelford said he felt interest had been lost after the major roadworks to widen Cranes Farm Road last year.

“It is all very well spending millions on roadworks, but you need to look after the area once the work has been completed, otherwise it all seems rather pointless.

“The whole area, particularly the bottom of Cranes Farm Road leading to East Mayne, looks a real mess because of the weeds. It is about time it was sorted out.”

A Basildon cycle shop shares the view the cycle paths should be better maintained.

Matt Woods, assistant manager at Cycles UK Basildon, said: “There is no doubt some Basildon cycle paths aren’t looked after as roads are. Customers often come in complaining they have another flat tyre because of broken glass, and more so over the past couple of months. People want to feel comfortable cycling so we all need to get behind this.”

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “Essex Highways does acknowledge that in certain areas of the cycle path, the vegetation has become overgrown, and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to local residents.

“Essex Highways is working to determine the cutting schedule and areas for treatment along this route.”

Comments (20)

9:23am Sun 16 Sep 12

shallotman says...

This footpath was reported by me some two weeks ago.
This footpath [68] was reported by me some two weeks ago. shallotman

9:28am Sun 16 Sep 12

Keptquiettillnow says...

Weeds and vegetation grow, what a shock to the clowncil. Have Basildon Clowncil become like Southend Clowncil with their fear of the C word.
Weeds and vegetation grow, what a shock to the clowncil. Have Basildon Clowncil become like Southend Clowncil with their fear of the C word. Keptquiettillnow

9:30am Sun 16 Sep 12

Brunning999 says...

Stop moaning mate!

If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia.

What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes.

The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's.
Stop moaning mate! If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia. What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes. The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's. Brunning999

10:48am Sun 16 Sep 12

Little John says...

It’s quite a simple solution. Arrange for a cut with a mower once per month, two mower cuts wide each side of the paths. Use a selective herbicide on the theses cut areas (kills broad leaved plants in lawns) along with a product called Primo Max which acts as a growth retardant. It slows down grass growth. Sorted!
Ah, but then again, there’s another solution. Do nothing. Wait for the complaints to come in near the end of the growing season, do one cut (eventually) and then claim the situation is now under control (until next year)
Wonder which option ECC has taken?
It’s quite a simple solution. Arrange for a cut with a mower once per month, two mower cuts wide each side of the paths. Use a selective herbicide on the theses cut areas (kills broad leaved plants in lawns) along with a product called Primo Max which acts as a growth retardant. It slows down grass growth. Sorted! Ah, but then again, there’s another solution. Do nothing. Wait for the complaints to come in near the end of the growing season, do one cut (eventually) and then claim the situation is now under control (until next year) Wonder which option ECC has taken? Little John

10:51am Sun 16 Sep 12

APR says...

There are some similar issues with the cycle track on the A127. Which push
cyclists very close to the edge of the road.
There are some similar issues with the cycle track on the A127. Which push cyclists very close to the edge of the road. APR

11:13am Sun 16 Sep 12

pink oboe. says...

I often carry a scythe when cycling on the cycle paths. In this way I can tell the missus that I've spent hours hacking my through the vegetation when in fact I've been down the pub.
I often carry a scythe when cycling on the cycle paths. In this way I can tell the missus that I've spent hours hacking my through the vegetation when in fact I've been down the pub. pink oboe.

12:38pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Chris Flunk says...

Brunning999 wrote:
Stop moaning mate!

If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia.

What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes.

The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's.
See the kangaroo's what?
[quote][p][bold]Brunning999[/bold] wrote: Stop moaning mate! If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia. What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes. The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's.[/p][/quote]See the kangaroo's what? Chris Flunk

2:43pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Ted_in_the_shed says...

The state of Basildon's cycle paths is such, that they should be reclassified as bridleways. I use the path beside Broadmayne everyday and can only say It's not a cycle path its just a wide pavement. It looks as though the maintenance budget ran out 10yrs ago, all marking lines have disappeared and signs are few and far between. Besides that, the path is obstructed by a number of bus shelters that have thoughtfully been installed to block cyclist and near the town end a series of sunken repairs to the path are deep enough to give you an overnight stay in A&E. With reference to the article above - keeping the weeds down and hedgerows in order would be just the start. Come on ECC give the good people of Basildon an incentive to live greener, and stop short changing us.
The state of Basildon's cycle paths is such, that they should be reclassified as bridleways. I use the path beside Broadmayne everyday and can only say It's not a cycle path its just a wide pavement. It looks as though the maintenance budget ran out 10yrs ago, all marking lines have disappeared and signs are few and far between. Besides that, the path is obstructed by a number of bus shelters that have thoughtfully been installed to block cyclist and near the town end a series of sunken repairs to the path are deep enough to give you an overnight stay in A&E. With reference to the article above - keeping the weeds down and hedgerows in order would be just the start. Come on ECC give the good people of Basildon an incentive to live greener, and stop short changing us. Ted_in_the_shed

3:47pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Basildon.lad.21 says...

Ive also noticed the pathway that leads up to the hospital, which runs next to woodlands school, at the top of that there is overgrown stinging nettles. I cycle up there most days, and every time I cycle past it, I have to swerve out the way for them in order not to get stung. Its all good saying they want more people to use bikes, but when cycle paths are this bad, its pretty obvious why people actually dont.
Ive also noticed the pathway that leads up to the hospital, which runs next to woodlands school, at the top of that there is overgrown stinging nettles. I cycle up there most days, and every time I cycle past it, I have to swerve out the way for them in order not to get stung. Its all good saying they want more people to use bikes, but when cycle paths are this bad, its pretty obvious why people actually dont. Basildon.lad.21

4:29pm Sun 16 Sep 12

howironic says...

Here's an idea, get the perfectly healthy benefit sponges to cut them back every week.
Here's an idea, get the perfectly healthy benefit sponges to cut them back every week. howironic

4:54pm Sun 16 Sep 12

E-Types.. says...

Basildon and lots of weed! Who'd of thought!
Basildon and lots of weed! Who'd of thought! E-Types..

4:59pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Eric Whim says...

The only section of the Cranes Farm Road Cycle/Footpath that the Council seem willing to control vegetational infringement along is the short section directly opposite the Sporting Village.

The surface of these facilities is dreadful as are many of the cycl paths in the area which have deep long ruts wider than the tyres on my bike in them as well as huge holes in places.


The sorry state of the surfacing of the track around th perimeter of Gloucester Park along with the height of the hedges make it a dangerous place for cyclist and pedestrian alike.

Maybe if they sold off some of Lake Meadows park for development they could raise enough money to fund a resurfacing and hedge/weed trimmingregime for these cycle/footpaths....
The only section of the Cranes Farm Road Cycle/Footpath that the Council seem willing to control vegetational infringement along is the short section directly opposite the Sporting Village. The surface of these facilities is dreadful as are many of the cycl paths in the area which have deep long ruts wider than the tyres on my bike in them as well as huge holes in places. The sorry state of the surfacing of the track around th perimeter of Gloucester Park along with the height of the hedges make it a dangerous place for cyclist and pedestrian alike. Maybe if they sold off some of Lake Meadows park for development they could raise enough money to fund a resurfacing and hedge/weed trimmingregime for these cycle/footpaths.... Eric Whim

7:08pm Sun 16 Sep 12

Almeda11 says...

Little John wrote:
It’s quite a simple solution. Arrange for a cut with a mower once per month, two mower cuts wide each side of the paths. Use a selective herbicide on the theses cut areas (kills broad leaved plants in lawns) along with a product called Primo Max which acts as a growth retardant. It slows down grass growth. Sorted! Ah, but then again, there’s another solution. Do nothing. Wait for the complaints to come in near the end of the growing season, do one cut (eventually) and then claim the situation is now under control (until next year) Wonder which option ECC has taken?
l live in Germany for part of the year, and there the cycle paths, which are everywhere, are either on the outside of the pavement, or the inside of the road and both divided by a white line, so there is no problem with weeds!
[quote][p][bold]Little John[/bold] wrote: It’s quite a simple solution. Arrange for a cut with a mower once per month, two mower cuts wide each side of the paths. Use a selective herbicide on the theses cut areas (kills broad leaved plants in lawns) along with a product called Primo Max which acts as a growth retardant. It slows down grass growth. Sorted! Ah, but then again, there’s another solution. Do nothing. Wait for the complaints to come in near the end of the growing season, do one cut (eventually) and then claim the situation is now under control (until next year) Wonder which option ECC has taken?[/p][/quote]l live in Germany for part of the year, and there the cycle paths, which are everywhere, are either on the outside of the pavement, or the inside of the road and both divided by a white line, so there is no problem with weeds! Almeda11

10:14pm Sun 16 Sep 12

DogsMessInLeigh says...

The wording under the photo of the cyclists says..'safety first'...but the parents are not wearing helmuts or have hi-vis clothing....isn't it ironic...don't cha think..?
The wording under the photo of the cyclists says..'safety first'...but the parents are not wearing helmuts or have hi-vis clothing....isn't it ironic...don't cha think..? DogsMessInLeigh

10:50pm Sun 16 Sep 12

APR says...

I think they are only posing for a photo :)
I think they are only posing for a photo :) APR

10:13am Mon 17 Sep 12

EthanEdwards says...

howironic wrote:
Here's an idea, get the perfectly healthy benefit sponges to cut them back every week.
Good idea. Why indeed cannot the unemployed be asked to help out their community.

Are there no criminals doing community service that cannot do this work?

All thats lacking is the political will to make it happen. Cameron you twit - sort it.
[quote][p][bold]howironic[/bold] wrote: Here's an idea, get the perfectly healthy benefit sponges to cut them back every week.[/p][/quote]Good idea. Why indeed cannot the unemployed be asked to help out their community. Are there no criminals doing community service that cannot do this work? All thats lacking is the political will to make it happen. Cameron you twit - sort it. EthanEdwards

2:43pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Blind Haze says...

E-Types.. wrote:
Basildon and lots of weed! Who'd of thought!
'Basildon', 'high' and 'weed' in the same headline...? Surely not....
[quote][p][bold]E-Types..[/bold] wrote: Basildon and lots of weed! Who'd of thought![/p][/quote]'Basildon', 'high' and 'weed' in the same headline...? Surely not.... Blind Haze

7:00pm Mon 17 Sep 12

Brunning999 says...

Chris Flunk wrote:
Brunning999 wrote:
Stop moaning mate!

If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia.

What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes.

The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's.
See the kangaroo's what?
I like that comment.

It all depends what time of day you look into the pothole which is even bigger and deeper now.
[quote][p][bold]Chris Flunk[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]Brunning999[/bold] wrote: Stop moaning mate! If you lived in Benfleet the potholes are so numerous that you could fall down one and land up in Australia. What is even worse the Council have employed idiots to repair them that have made raised mounds which are sticky and are more dangerous than the potholes. The pothole at the bottom of Church Road is now so deep you can actually see the kangaroo's.[/p][/quote]See the kangaroo's what?[/p][/quote]I like that comment. It all depends what time of day you look into the pothole which is even bigger and deeper now. Brunning999

2:24pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Nebs says...

EthanEdwards wrote:
howironic wrote:
Here's an idea, get the perfectly healthy benefit sponges to cut them back every week.
Good idea. Why indeed cannot the unemployed be asked to help out their community.

Are there no criminals doing community service that cannot do this work?

All thats lacking is the political will to make it happen. Cameron you twit - sort it.
It is not up to Cameron. Or Clegg or Milliband or Screaming Lord Such. It is up to you. You need to suggest jobs for those on community service. You can do it online here, the link to the form is half way down the page.
http://www.direct.go
v.uk/en/CrimeJustice
AndTheLaw/Sentencing
prisonandprobation/C
ommunitysentences/DG
_196050
[quote][p][bold]EthanEdwards[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]howironic[/bold] wrote: Here's an idea, get the perfectly healthy benefit sponges to cut them back every week.[/p][/quote]Good idea. Why indeed cannot the unemployed be asked to help out their community. Are there no criminals doing community service that cannot do this work? All thats lacking is the political will to make it happen. Cameron you twit - sort it.[/p][/quote]It is not up to Cameron. Or Clegg or Milliband or Screaming Lord Such. It is up to you. You need to suggest jobs for those on community service. You can do it online here, the link to the form is half way down the page. http://www.direct.go v.uk/en/CrimeJustice AndTheLaw/Sentencing prisonandprobation/C ommunitysentences/DG _196050 Nebs

2:59pm Wed 19 Sep 12

APR says...

Screaming Lord Such died in 1999 :)
Screaming Lord Such died in 1999 :) APR

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