Time to ride or hide?
6 surreycomet.co.uk/news
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Time to ride or hide? [email protected]
The world’s largest cycling festival arrives in Kingston this weekend – but it seems not everybody is happy to see the event return. Ride London takes place on Sunday, August 10, with 150 professional cyclists including Sir Bradley Wiggins, and thousands of amateurs pedalling through the town centre for the second instalment of the annual showcase. But with bus diversions and 26 rolling road closures – including Kingston Bridge, Richmond Park, Clarence Street and Portsmouth Road – some residents have complained the Olympic legacy event causes more disruption than it is worth. Tolworth resident Jackie Kerkham said: “It’s like being under house arrest. It’s either stay at home or find somewhere to go that is off the cycle route.” Carl Kember, 76, from Coombe Road, said he had suggested a map detailing diverted bus routes, but town centre managers Kingstonfirst and Kingston Council
‘Only one weekend’ Ahead of Ride London, Lisa Leid asked passersby in Market Place if the event was a good thing for Kingston... Deadlinepix HY5555
Cycle for a cause
by Nazia Dewji
On the road: The red line shows the inbound cycle route had not followed through. He said: “People need to know where to get the buses from. Coombe Lane West and Coombe Road, the two main arteries into Kingston from the north, are cut off.” Last year’s event led to a 60 per cent drop in trade for some businesses, as regular shoppers stayed away. One shop worker said: “Getting to work is a nightmare, getting home is a nightmare, and the day drags as we
have very few customers as everyone is either avoiding the shops or are only there to watch the cycling.” Town centre managers Kingstonfirst responded to the criticisms by marketing Kingston as a weekend destination, in the hope families will come to town early and spend money before the race. A bike festival will also be held in Memorial Gardens, while the Market Place will host seaside-themed events –
A New Malden teacher will take part in Ride London, writes Lisa Leid. Burlington Junior school teacher John Rickwood will cycle 100 miles to raise money for Lepra, which helps people who live with leprosy carry on with their with lives in India and Bangladesh. To donate visit lepra. org.uk/fundraisers/ john-rickwood. including Punch and Judy shows and a giant sandpit. Jerry Irving, chief executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, said: “On the face of it, it’s difficult because it interrupts trade, but businesses are now beginning to realise the long-term benefits. “It puts Kingston on the map. I think businesses are feeling far more positive. They are beginning to see it as a great event.” Visit kingston.gov.uk.
AUGUST 8, 2014
Gary Fitzgerald, 43, chef, said: ”Ride London is good for Kingston, it encourages people to cycle rather than drive.”
Carlo Taylor, 31, market trader, said: ”It’s too disruptive. Why throw a town off completely just because people want to ride bikes?”
John Loosley, 57, cycling instructor, said: ”Cycling will encourage people to be more active, Ride London ticks all the right boxes.”
Clare Morris, 37, cleaner, said: ”It’s good because it brings people together, many different nationalities come together.”
Muriel Kingsley, 71, writer/chef, said: ”It will take cars off the streets, there are less fumes, which is brilliant. It’s only one weekend.”
Haluk Adiyal, 31, hairdresser, said: ”It’s not fair for businesses; all the road blocks – there is very limited space for everyone else.”
SC
Time to ride or hide? [email protected]
The world’s largest cycling festival arrives in Kingston this weekend – but it seems not everybody is happy to see the event return. Ride London takes place on Sunday, August 10, with 150 professional cyclists including Sir Bradley Wiggins, and thousands of amateurs pedalling through the town centre for the second instalment of the annual showcase. But with bus diversions and 26 rolling road closures – including Kingston Bridge, Richmond Park, Clarence Street and Portsmouth Road – some residents have complained the Olympic legacy event causes more disruption than it is worth. Tolworth resident Jackie Kerkham said: “It’s like being under house arrest. It’s either stay at home or find somewhere to go that is off the cycle route.” Carl Kember, 76, from Coombe Road, said he had suggested a map detailing diverted bus routes, but town centre managers Kingstonfirst and Kingston Council
‘Only one weekend’ Ahead of Ride London, Lisa Leid asked passersby in Market Place if the event was a good thing for Kingston... Deadlinepix HY5555
Cycle for a cause
by Nazia Dewji
On the road: The red line shows the inbound cycle route had not followed through. He said: “People need to know where to get the buses from. Coombe Lane West and Coombe Road, the two main arteries into Kingston from the north, are cut off.” Last year’s event led to a 60 per cent drop in trade for some businesses, as regular shoppers stayed away. One shop worker said: “Getting to work is a nightmare, getting home is a nightmare, and the day drags as we
have very few customers as everyone is either avoiding the shops or are only there to watch the cycling.” Town centre managers Kingstonfirst responded to the criticisms by marketing Kingston as a weekend destination, in the hope families will come to town early and spend money before the race. A bike festival will also be held in Memorial Gardens, while the Market Place will host seaside-themed events –
A New Malden teacher will take part in Ride London, writes Lisa Leid. Burlington Junior school teacher John Rickwood will cycle 100 miles to raise money for Lepra, which helps people who live with leprosy carry on with their with lives in India and Bangladesh. To donate visit lepra. org.uk/fundraisers/ john-rickwood. including Punch and Judy shows and a giant sandpit. Jerry Irving, chief executive of Kingston Chamber of Commerce, said: “On the face of it, it’s difficult because it interrupts trade, but businesses are now beginning to realise the long-term benefits. “It puts Kingston on the map. I think businesses are feeling far more positive. They are beginning to see it as a great event.” Visit kingston.gov.uk.
AUGUST 8, 2014
Gary Fitzgerald, 43, chef, said: ”Ride London is good for Kingston, it encourages people to cycle rather than drive.”
Carlo Taylor, 31, market trader, said: ”It’s too disruptive. Why throw a town off completely just because people want to ride bikes?”
John Loosley, 57, cycling instructor, said: ”Cycling will encourage people to be more active, Ride London ticks all the right boxes.”
Clare Morris, 37, cleaner, said: ”It’s good because it brings people together, many different nationalities come together.”
Muriel Kingsley, 71, writer/chef, said: ”It will take cars off the streets, there are less fumes, which is brilliant. It’s only one weekend.”
Haluk Adiyal, 31, hairdresser, said: ”It’s not fair for businesses; all the road blocks – there is very limited space for everyone else.”
