The lovely ladies here are both visually impaired and already have a tough time walking through our park, encountering verbal abuse from cyclists on a regular basis. These cyclists are all, of course, currently riding illegally through our park and they blame these ladies for being in the way.

If this scheme is given the go ahead by HBC these loyal park users will have their ability to walk through Alexandra Park virtually removed.

Despite what the local authorities would have you believe, there is NO route through the park any person with any disability can take without encountering bicycles. At least twice the cycle path has to be crossed in the lower park alone. And this is without the added fiasco in that the cyclists have got the flattest fasted route. The disabled and elderly, seeking a bike free experience get awarded flights of steps and the steepest slopes.   

East Sussex County Council's safety precautions have allegedly assessed all risks together with an Equalities Impact Assessment.

Convenient isn't it? An "in house" safety assessment !!

Was there any reference to disability charities to assess the impact on their members? No

Did HBC/ESCC arrange to meet with disabled people in the park before this stupid route was agreed? No

Was the scheme sufficiently circulated to all local charities and disability groups for feedback? No

What sort of idiot comes up with such a plan where the bicycles and e-scooters will even run in front of the public toilet ?

Do these overpaid, disability ignorant, discriminating, so called experts actually have any respect whatsoever for those less fortunate? I wonder if they were blind if they would be so quick to rubber stamp their own ridiculous, insulting plan? Of course not.

Today we passed 400 signatures against this dreadfully cruel, insane plan. That is a remarkable display of objection from Hastings residents.

As we head towards the 500 mark I would like to thank our local population for having more respect for our disabled and vulnerable residents than our local authorities do.

Please keep the signatures coming (from all family members) and please, please share it on your social media accounts, telling others why you have signed.

More and more we are finding that even our responsible cyclists have real concerns about safety for both themselves and park users. Now we just need HBC/ESCC and the leadership of the cycling groups to come to their senses and vote to scrap this disgraceful cycle path