Cycle maps drawn

Published 6 Mar 2010 15:30 Comments 1 Comment

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The mum of a young woman killed while cycling in Windsor has backed plans for a new cycle path to link the town with Bracknell and Ascot.

Elizete Alves' 25-year-old daughter, Andreia Alves Pinto, died while cycling in Windsor Great Park after a car veered off the road.

Mrs Alves, who supports the campaign 'Do Right By Bikes' which aims to push for the implementation of safer cycle routes between Bracknell, Ascot and Windsor, told the Royal Borough's Cycle Forum: "The first time I went to the scene of the crash I questioned why there wasn't a cycle path. It seems like a waste of space and I really feel a life could have been saved if that path could have been continued."

The crash occurred on Sheet Street Road on December 10 last year and is a well-known hotspot for accidents. Another victim, Beyon Perera, died just yards away in a car crash on December 23.

A draft plan for the cycle routes was presented by principal transport policy officer Gordon Oliver on Monday.

Blueprints show space for the paths will be made along roads outside Ascot Racecourse.

Another linkway suggested is to include a path from New Mile Road leading into Watersplash Lane and then Windsor Great Park.

This would be a joint plan with Bracknell Forest Council.

Forum members backed the plans, but petitioned against the funding cut imposed by the council in January which reduces the budget for this year's cycle network plans from £75,000 to £50,000.

Mrs Alves added: "The police said there have been 157 cycling accidents, two fatal and 22 were serious injuries.

"We can campaign, raise money, anything you need. The last thing I want is any family to go through what we all went through."

Members discussed possible slowing measures on Sheet Street Road, which goes through the Great Park, and were told to write down their ideas and recommendations for all the cycle network plans.

Cllr Liam Maxwell, forum chairman, said: "I think we should come back to a further cycle forum with a remedy.

"We do not have a register of cyclists. Maybe this would be a very powerful group if we did. I think we need to come back to you with some progress."

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Frances
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Mar 9, 15:16
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Fantastic idea! That road is so dangerous for cyclists, yet how else do we get to Ascot?

What a shame a terrible tragedy has to happen first.

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