Can barriers slow down speeding cyclists and e-scooters?

IN a bid to slow down electric scooters and cyclists travelling at “excessive speeds” on a well-used public path shared with pedestrians in the east of Melksham, the town council is supporting a proposal to install ‘staggered barriers’. 

The path between the end of Heather Avenue through to Dorset Crescent, which has been described as an “accident waiting to happen”, has previously been flagged with the town council as a hot spot for privately owned e-scooters, which are currently illegal to use in any public place in the UK. 

Concerns have also been raised by local residents about cyclists and motorcyclists using the path at speed, which is also a popular path for children going to school. 

To combat the issue, Wiltshire councillor for the east of Melksham, Mike Sankey, has proposed to Melksham’s community area transport group (CATG) – a subgroup of the Melksham Area Board that deals with highway issues – that Wiltshire Council investigates the installation of two barriers two metres apart, on opposite sides of the footway. 

“This would slow down cyclists, whilst not impeding pedestrians, pushchairs or mobility scooter users,” said cllr Sankey speaking at the town council’s economic development and planning committee earlier this month. 

Discussing the idea, deputy mayor cllr Colin Goodhind described it as an “ideal” solution. And cllr Simon Crundell explained that the idea would benefit the safety of residents, whilst maintaining the flow of the cycle lane for those using the path responsibly. 

At the meeting councillors voted in favour of supporting the proposal, which has been submitted to Melksham’s community area transport group (CATG). 

A resident’s suggestion that a kissing gate be installed has been dismissed by councillors who said it would impede users of mobility aids and those with pushchairs.