The local MP for Poole, Neil Duncan-Jordan, has written to the council to confirm the safety of the new cycle lane surface, after a 13-year-old girl was injured when she fell off her scooter while on her way to school.
The family believe that the surface of the newly installed red cycle lane on Ringwood Road was a “significant factor in the incident”, which left the teenager with a concussion, as well as cuts and bruises on her face.
Neil Duncan-Jorden MP wrote to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council on February 13 to verify “what quality checks were undertaken before this section was opened”.
In the letter, he said that photographs taken show “displaced grit along the route”, which the family believe has contributed “both to the fall and to the severity of the abrasions sustained.”
He added that he was informed that the matter was reported to the council via the appropriate channels on the day of the incident and marked as urgent.
The MP also said that he understands that sweeping on the cycleway was seen later that evening, and warning signs relating to the grit were installed shortly afterwards. He said that his constituent is concerned that his work implies an underlying issue with the surface condition of the cycleway.
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The letter also mentions concerns from other residents about whether the material had been properly laid and if it meets the required safety standards.
In a comment on Facebook, Ross Hodder added that “I rode this after the incident, and I think the surface does need looking at as it is not fully bound.
“However, the cycle track itself is really good and separates cyclists from motor traffic. However bad the injury was, it could have been worse in a collision with a car. We need more segregated lanes like this so children can travel independently and safely.”
On the Facebook post, MP Duncan-Jordan also said: “It is clear through photos of the cycle path that the new infrastructure played a significant role in the incident. No child should be injured on the way to school – our roads need to be safe for everyone who uses them.
Whilst it was reported in the local press as a cycling incident, the posts show that injured girl was actually riding a scooter. It isn’t clear if this was a non-electric scooter, one of Poole’s Beryl hire scooters or a private vehicle, which would not be legal for use on public roads.
The mother described the incident on Facebook, explaining that her daughter needed hospital treatment for the cuts and grazes, and has a swollen lip and “what looks like dental damage.”
She added that: “I appreciate accidents happen, but her injuries quite clearly are much deeper and larger because of this dangerous surface you have laid, that is loose and not at all fixed as I expect it ought to be.”
She said that the incident was “every mother’s nightmare” and because of the concussion, her daughter is out of sport for three weeks, “which is her passion in life”.
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In response, BCP Council told the Bournemouth Echo that it acknowledges the formal complaint by Mr Duncan-Jordan and that the team was instructed to take immediate precautionary action to sweep the cycle track and erect a warning sign.
Councillor Andy Hadley, BCP Council cabinet member for climate response, environment and energy, said: “Our thoughts are with the young girl who came off her scooter on the Ringwood Road cycle path, and we wish her a full and speedy recovery.
“We also acknowledge the receipt of formal complaint, as well as the correspondence we have received from Neil Duncan Jordan MP regarding this incident.
“The incident was brought to the council’s attention out of hours and the team instructed immediate precautionary action to sweep the cycle track and erect a warning sign.”
This route has previously attracted controversy when 10 trees were cut down to build the cycleway, which opponents described as “hypocritical” and “ridiculous”. One resident argued that 10 trees were cut down “all for the odd cyclist”.
However, the council said that the trees in question were “overgrown” and obstructing the footpath, and replacements would be introduced.