Cycle racks in Newbury. Options

[GMR]

One of my pet hates is not enough cycle racks in Newbury high street. The government says that we should leave our cars at home and either walk, use public transport or cycle. Local councils half heartily concur. Public transport is expensive; which leaves walking or cycling. Newbury has cycle racks but not enough. Go to Newbury on the busiest days of the week and you will see all the racks used up; in some cases three or four deep. When they are exhausted cyclist chain their bikes to lampposts, benches, and even trees. If the government want us to use our cycles then they must make sure that local governments follow their wishes.

The pictures below was taken of the cycle rack outside WH Smiths in Newbury high street. As you will see a road sign as been fixed/ shackled to the bicycle rack. Is this a good use of cycle racks when they are in such short supply? When I phoned up the council they told me it had nothing to do with them and I should direct my concerns towards the builders. I did and was told it was a council problem. Where do you go? Nobody wants to take responsibility.





The picture below was taken of a cycle rack outside Woolworths store in the high street. As you will see by the picture a car has reversed into them. This has been like this for a couple of weeks. When I contacted the council about this I was told it wasn’t a priority. So I changed tack and said “it doesn’t bode well with the image of a modern Newbury.” The reply was, “We’ll look into it.” I replied sarcastically, “Will it be done in the next 20 years?” “Hopefully" I was told. If they don’t care why should we?



Maybe the Newbury Weekly News might like to do a story on the lack of cycle racks in Newbury and how they are cared for (or not)?