Shared path on the Ploggers

The area between Love Lane Corner to Humberstone Rd in Grimsby (commonly known as Ploggers) has a very thin single path along its entire length. It forms part of the Pedalway from Humberston into the centre of Grimsby, yet it’s only approximately 1.5m wide. It is also meant to be shared by pedestrians and cyclists.

Whilst it’s good there is a path there, it’s clearly not wide enough, as this photo shows. It’s clear from this photo there’s a need for a separate, wider cycle path alongside the existing path (you can see the way the grass has been compacted by cyclists on the left of the path). There’s plenty of space to accommodate it and it would greatly improve the experience of the people who use this path.

This situation is symptomatic of many paths in our area. It’s not great that so many are shared between cyclists and pedestrians, and many cycle paths or lanes are far too narrow for their purpose.

Useable space reduced by overgrown bushes not trimmed back in summertime.

It would also be good to trim the over-growing bushes back so that they don’t further reduce the available space of the existing path!

Problem: A shared pedestrian and cycle path that’s nowhere near wide enough to accommodate the people who use it, creating hazards for the young children from the nearby school from passing cyclists and in turn requiring cyclists to leave the path and cycle on the grass in in to pass pedestrians.

Solution: Build a dedicated smooth-surfaced cycle path alongside the existing path, one that is wide enough (at least along most of its length) to enable two cyclists to ride side by side. There’s plenty of space here to do this and it would greatly improve the experience and safety of those who use it. It’s existence may also encourage people to use the Pedalway into town more.

Footnote: As if to emphasize the point, today whilst riding on the grass to avoid a dog-walker, I suffered my first puncture in three years!

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