Prosposal:

We, the undersigned, call on Lancashire County Council to create a protected cycle lane along the old stretch of The Bay Gateway to reduce the risk of incidents involving cyclists and motorists.

Background:

The reason for launching this campaign is because a few years ago my father had just finished a shift at his place of work, and whilst cycling home, he was struck by a flatbed truck on the old stretch of The Bay Gateway (A683) near Heysham.

Tragically, my father was left for dead at the side of the road as the driver absconded, later being detained by police. 

My father suffered multiple life-threatening and altering injuries leaving doctors with no other alternative but to place him in a medically induced coma for two weeks to allow his body to recover. 

The crash left my father with lacerations to his liver and kidneys, multiple fractures to his arm, ribs, shoulder blade, spine, neck, pelvis and skull. He also fractured his femur which ruptured the main artery in his leg. 

Along with his many injuries, he was recently diagnosed with type-2 diabetes and brain damage as a result of the trauma caused by the incident.

Three years on and he is still receiving intensive physical and mental rehabilitation and will unfortunately never fully regain his independence, leaving my mum as his full-time carer.

Given the Bay Gateway is a popular cycle route for staff who work at the port, power station and other organisations in that area, it should be made safer for both cyclists and drivers.

As you may already be aware, the newly-built second phase of The Bay Gateway does indeed have a designated pedestrian and cyclist route so it only makes sense to also adapt the old stretch of road. 

With that in mind, our campaign proposes that the county council create a protected cycle lane which has clear road markings and bollards at every few yards on the old stretch of The Bay Gateway. Alternatively, a new cycle lane could be constructed which runs away from the main road which is undoubtedly the safest option.  

We are, however, open to suggestions people may have.