Organisers' anger at cycle race residents
ORGANISERS of a cycle race in Kingsteignton have vowed never to hold it again after 'irate' residents hurled abuse at youngsters taking part in the official event.
Mid Devon Cycling Club and Exeter Wheelers had permission from Devon County Council and the police for the two-hour event on Saturday evening.
The race attracted up to 20 youngsters between the ages of eight and 14.
But after some residents living in Exeter Road and Strap Lane are said to have shouted at the participants, both clubs say they will not hold another cycling event for children in the area.
It is also alleged some motorists ignored road closure signs and mounted the curb during the race.
Vice-chairman of Mid Devon Cycling Club, Ron Keegan, who lives in Torquay, said: "Some residents were furious, driving on pavements to get to their houses even though there was a one way system put in place.
"They were driving around the barriers which could have endangered the lives of the children who were riding on a closed circuit.
"Some residents were being abusive to officials and to the young children who were trying to race."
He added: "All the houses had leaflets put through the door, we had police approval and risk assessments were carried out.
"The longest distance anyone would be left from their house was 100metres."
Mr Keegan said the event, for children living in Kingsteignton, was organised to complement the economy-boosting Dartmoor Classic sportive, which took place on Sunday and attracts more than 2,000 riders from all over the world.
But he said following the complaints, both clubs had decided not to hold any further cycling events in the immediate area.
In an email to race organisers, ward Cllr Anne Lonsdale accused them of causing 'mayhem at Strap Lane'.
She wrote: "It was alleged that one lady was nearly run over, a car with horse box had to turn in the narrowest part of the road.
"People coming home from work couldn't get to their houses and the buses had to be re-routed.
"It would seem that the marshalls were untrained and there was an unpleasant situation with one of the competitors being offensive."
Cllr Lonsdale told the Herald Express yesterday that at the time of the email she was not aware permission had been granted for the event.
A Devon County Council spokesman said: "It is necessary from time to time to close certain roads or part of roads temporarily to allow the passage of participants while also ensuring the safety of pedestrians and residents.
"In this case, the organisers of the event contacted our highways department with the necessary information and documents and we processed a traffic regulation order as normal.
"After which, the organisers themselves are responsible for signage and other arrangements to ensure the event runs smoothly."
A police spokesman added: "We received some reports of traffic chaos relating to the top of Exeter Road.
"There was an official event between 6pm and 8pm and all the roads were marshalled."
15 Comments
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by Colin, Torquay
Saturday, July 04 2009, 8:36AM
“A great shame that "comments" have been disabled from the Saturday stories. Just reading the "Kingsteignton residents hit back" story where they openly admit to moving barriers and driving through.
What a disgusting display of totally selfish behaviour. They should be utterly ashamed of themselves, not boasting about it in the local paper.
These are the NIMBY's that complain about society, yet represent one of the very worst elements of it.
Appalling.”
by Steve, South Devon
Friday, July 03 2009, 10:19PM
“DISGUSTING is the only word. How callous can grown adults get! Young people doing something good something healthy instead of commiting crime or getting drunk. I think they need to be applauded. Its so sad these, children were not cheered with encouragment by lines of residents, it makes me totally ashemed to be an adult.
No body likes to be held up, including myself, I do get annoyed when stuck behind slow moving vehicles hogging the road, like a road sweeper during rush hour, it does make you frustrated. But there is NO need to hurl abuse at children and officials staging a once in a while event, that is really out of order. Its not like its every day!
Do these residents complain at the more seedy side of life such as drunken yobs trailing abusivly along the pavement? No because its easy to find a softer target like children doing something good with their spare time, rather than commiting crime.
I really cannot belive people can be so impatient and callous!”
by local resident, kingsteignton
Friday, July 03 2009, 4:08PM
“As a local resident I drive along both Exeter Road and Strap Lane several times a day every week. Road Closure signs have been in place for weeks, and residents in the area recived letters about it.
Such a shame that some people should spoil an activity that benefitted these youngsters.
Wonder what those residents would be saying if youngsters had runied their day with anti-social behavour.”
by Sue, Kingsteignton
Friday, July 03 2009, 4:01PM
“I live in the area, but no leaflet was put through my door. The road signs leading up to the closure did not indicate that there was going to be a one-way system in operation and didn't clearly state which roads would be closed. The road sign at the corner of Strap Lane and Exeter Road could of mean't either road road was going to be closed. As Strap Lane is the main road between A380 and Teigngrace much better signage and diversions needed to be put in place. On my way home from work, I needed to use either Strap Lane or Exeter Road to get to my home but both were closed and there was no sign of a one-way system and the marshalls weren't helpful at all. Vehicles were still coming from Teigngrace through Strap Lane to the A 380 so I would have thought if there was a one-way system in place vehicles could have gone down Exeter Road into Kingsteignton.”
by Colin, Torquay
Friday, July 03 2009, 1:33PM
“If "A Resident, Kingsteignton" is typical of the people from this area then I guess you're wasting your time Julian.
These are the kinds of people who "plug" their children into TV's in the back of their 4x4 for the three minute drive to school where they'll park on double yellows right outside (perish the thought of their little darlings having to walk more than five yards).
Honestly, objecting to having to park 100 yards from their house (worst case) for one day a year so the kids can have some fun and fresh air? Utterly pathetic and sadly typical of the "me me me" culture of this country.
Kingsteignton residents involved in this should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.”