Cycling UK intervention halts A63 cycling ban

A proposed ban on cyclists using the A63 near Hull has been withdrawn by Highways England, after a concerted campaign by national cycling charity Cycling UK.

The plan to stop cyclists using a 15-mile stretch of road, between the North Cave interchange and the Daltry Street interchange, was drawn up after Humberside Police raised safety concerns.

Cycling UK launched a campaign last year to fight the ban and delivered almost 10,000 letters of protest to Highways England in Leeds in March.

Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns, says: “We have been fighting for 140 years for the rights of cyclists, and we couldn’t let Highways England impose a ban when there was no real basis or justification.

“One of the arguments put forward was that cyclists couldn’t keep up with traffic, but on that basis they would have been banning cyclists on every A-road and many sections of B-road across the country.

“I’m delighted that common sense has prevailed and pleased that Highways England listened to our arguments. I’d like to thank all our supporters who took time to take part in the campaign and respond during the consultation period.”

A spokesperson for Highways England says: “We want people using our roads to be safe and alongside Humberside Police were particularly concerned about how safe cyclists would be with increasing volumes of fast moving traffic on the A63 between North Cave and Hull.

“We’re really grateful to everyone who commented on our proposed ban, especially from cyclists themselves, and we have also been pleased to learn that recent applications for cycling time trials along the route have been withdrawn. In light of all this we have decided not to introduce the ban and we would like to thank our partners including Cycling UK and Cycling Time Trial for working with us on this issue.

“We are already developing more cycling and safety improvements for the A63 and in the meantime we urge all road users to use this route safely.

“The A63 cycling scheme includes proposals to improve cycling facilities on the Trans Pennine Trail to Humber Bridge. Any requests for future time trials will be looked at by Highways England, Humberside Police and the East Riding Safety Forum.”