Westbury Wheelers want more cycle routes in the town

CYCLING group, Westing Wheelers, are hoping to get more people cycling in the town by asking the town council for better cycle provision. 

The group say that the dangerous A350 road, which is used by the group to access quieter back roads, is a problem for new cyclists and are asking for more cycle lanes to be added to the surrounding areas. 

President of the club, Peter Campbell, spoke in the public forum of the Westbury Town Council meeting last week and offered the groups’ knowledge and expertise in cycling to help move plans forward for better provisions for cyclists in the town. 

Peter said, “Westbury Wheelers isn’t just about people who wear lycra and go racing, we very much want to be more inclusive. We currently have 150 people based around Westbury with a wide catchment area aged from 14 to the very old. 

“Cyclists, for many motorists, are exceedingly annoying people in lycra hogging the road, but we do try to behave ourselves. 

“We have been going since 1983. We have a huge range of expertise in cycling and related issues. 

“What we would really like to be able to do is influence people to be able to look towards more cycle lanes and better access around the local area. 

“We have been in touch with MP Andrew Murrison and we are gathering force, so if you would like us to assist you, to look at what we could come up with, we would be more than happy to. 

“We are, with other initiatives, getting money to train instructors. We already have several instructors trained, we’ve got people who can work with children and we would really like to work with the schools and get people outside!

“The problem, currently, is you launch a 14 year old child who has just taken up cycling on to the A350 to get to a quiet road, it’s a problem, so we would very much like to engage to get this sorted.”

Westbury Town Council agreed that Westbury Wheelers’ input would be greatly appreciated and have invited them to discuss their ideas with the Neighbourhood Plan team.