We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with readers. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch. This letter from Alan Bennett from Northwood.
Proposals by the New Forest MP to ban cycling events in the area (see Daily Echo report) have hit the news again after vandals tried to sabotage an event this weekend by placing drawing pins in the road and vandalising over 1,000 safety signs (see Daily Echo report).
Although this may not appear to be Island related, many cyclists from the Island travel over to New Forest to take part in these events. Ed
You know the old adage that everyone likes a bike ride?
Well that is not true in the New Forest, where the local MP for New Forest East has been putting up posters in local Public Houses and businesses against mass cycle events, inciting locals to get their cameras and get out on the course and take pictures and report cyclists flouting the Highway Code!
Inciting confrontation between cyclists and locals
Dr Julian Lewis put up posters inflating the amount taking part by 50%, and accusing cyclists of speeding. He has created overnight a hitherto never before experienced confrontational situation between cyclists and locals.
His chum, Dr Tony Hockley stated cyclists are posing an ‘immense risk’ to horses and riders in the New Forest, despite there being no documentary evidence to support such claims.
No evidence to support actions
Dr Lewis is also using his position as an MP to petition Government ministers to regulate cycling events in his constituency, even though he has no evidence to support his action.
Hang on though, is he not up for re-election soon?
Image: Matt Belton under CC BY 2.0
