Walkers should be safe on Bexhill seafront

Once again the continuing oppression of pedestrians is evident in last week’s letter page. Bexhill’s seafront is a delight and all pedestrian’s, young, old, partially sighted and disabled have the undeniable right to walk without the fear of wheeled vehicles speeding and weaving inconsiderately.

Pedestrians, who are the majority users, are entitled to a safe walking space, free from the danger of injury or abuse when they confront the unwelcome speedsters on cycles.

Even during this period of Lockdown when the roads have been completely empty cyclists and e-scooterists have chosen to speed along the seafront without a thought of social distancing. Why? It is beyond belief and common sense.

This problem is not confined to the seafront. Riding cycles on pavements, many very narrow, is still illegal in this country, yet they defy the law with a smile as they silently come from behind with total disregard and expect pedestrians to make way.

The council does not have the resources to police this problem, the RNLI Beach Patrol, which has the ability to challenge wrongdoers has no power to enforce compliance.

So, fellow pedestrians, it is up to us.

Spread across the seafront and pavements taking all the space and make it unattractive for speeding cyclists.

Leisure cyclists and children will have no difficulty.

Now that cycling and e-scooters are being encouraged, it is even more important for pedestrians to insist on safe unhindered walking, as is our right.

In defence of cyclists, they also need to cycle on the roads in the sure knowledge that they are treated with respect.

As on the Continent, the Road Traffic Act should extend its legislation, so that in the event of a collision between a motor vehicle and a cyclist, it is presumed that the motorist is at fault and the burden of proof is on the driver to prove otherwise (Peter Wallwork, The Times letters 18/5/20). Cyclists must argue for their voices also to be heard.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.