Consultation
Cycling on the Felixstowe Promenade
Ends 5pm 27 May 2016
Local people are being asked whether cycling should be allowed on Felixstowe Promenade in the future.
There is currently a bylaw in place which prohibits cycling on the promenade. However, the ban is not enforced and is often ignored by cyclists.
Now, Felixstowe Town Council has formally requested that Suffolk Coastal District Council (which imposed the bylaw) removes the signs and allows people to cycle on the promenade.
However, before it makes any decision on the issue, Suffolk Coastal wants to hear what local people think on this issue – and has asked Felixstowe Forward carry out a six-week consultation exercise (running from Monday, 18th April to 5pm 27 May 2016).
Helen Greengrass, Felixstowe Forward Change Director, said: “I am delighted that Felixstowe Forward has been asked to run the consultation on cycling on the Felixstowe Promenade.”
“Felixstowe Forward is a joint venture between Suffolk Coastal District Council, Felixstowe Town Council and Suffolk County Council which is working with a wide range of partners, to tackle the town’s key challenges and bring in improvements.”
“We work with all three authorities and have worked hard to build a relationship within the town, with the community and its businesses. This is an opportunity for us to respond to an issue that we know people in Felixstowe feel strongly about. Importantly, it shows the authorities want to listen to people’s views, before taking action on this issue.”
There are two clear options:
- Keep the signs which prohibit cycling on the promenade, so continue to make it unlawful; or,
- Allow cycling, by removing the signs and making cycling on the promenade legal.
So, we want people to answer the simple question: ‘Should Suffolk Coastal remove the signs and revoke the bylaw to make cycling on Felixstowe Promenade legal?’
As well as asking for local people’s views, Felixstowe Forward will also be approaching other relevant authorities, including the Police and Suffolk County Council, for their views.
The consultation results will then be reviewed, before a report is put before Suffolk Coastal’s Full Council for a decision on this issue.
Anyone wanting to take part in the consultation can do so through the Suffolk Coastal website at www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk or by emailing: felixstowe.forward@eastsuffolk.gov.uk.
Background
In January 1983, Suffolk Coastal District Council passed some byelaws about ‘Riding Bicycles’, which make cycling on the Felixstowe Promenade unlawful where there are signs put up to prohibit this.
There are signs on the Promenade which prohibit cycling, so it is currently unlawful to cycle along there.
In November 2015, Felixstowe Town Council considered the Byelaws purpose, asking if it was still appropriate.
The Town Council asked: ‘’Suffolk Coastal District Council to consider the removal of notices prohibiting cycling on Felixstowe Prom for a period of no less then 12months; and, pending an assessment of the success of this initiative, consider permitting and promoting safe and considerate cycling on the prom on a permanent basis’’ believing that the Promenade should provide a safe environment for all to enjoy.
However, before it considers the Felixstowe Town Council proposal in detail, Suffolk Coastal is keen to find out what local people think – so has asked Felixstowe Forward to carry out a public consultation on the issue.