I WOULD like to comment on the influence the cycling campaigners seem to have with Colchester and Essex county councils as part of the madness of the barriers erected around the town that are sucking the life out of businesses.

At first these were put in for Covid social distancing, we were told. Now they have morphed into cycle lanes, which one is it?

The restrictions in North Station Road were hampering business, so Sir Bob Russell met Kevin Bentley, and they were removed.

The barriers around North Station were the bane of many, causing long delays, and I read that highways chiefs met with councillors and representatives of the cyclists, why were they at the table to influence decisions?

Sure, they have a voice, but why no representatives of car drivers or pedestrians?

Which brings me on to St John’s Street, where it seems a new phenomenon has hit the town - get this, pedestrians now have to give way to cyclist, on the footpath!

The next time you visit the town centre, just look at the markings on the pavement at the bottom of Scheregate Steps - it’s telling you to beware of cyclists, walk with caution, you need to look both left and right to simply use the footpath - you simply couldn’t make it up!

The cycle routes are seen through rose-tinted glasses with images of families idling along getting exercise and fresh air.

This may be true in the middle of summer, in the middle of lockdown, but in the real world these cycle lanes are now being used by cyclists giving absolutely no consideration to pedestrians.

The council has been spending your money on adverts proclaiming cleaner, safer and greener - which streets are cleaner, safer and greener?

In St John’s Street the one-way system has turned the street into a haze of diesel fumes from the idling buses that cannot overtake one already standing at a stop.

L Broadhurst

Magdalen Street, Colchester