‘There’s always money to make life harder for cyclists in Birmingham’

A father-of-three has spoken of his annoyance towards Birmingham City Council following the installation of a new gate inside Edgbaston Reservoir. 

Dad David Gregory-Kumar’s usual scenic school run through the reservoir has been scuppered as the family’s four-seater cargo bike can no longer exit towards Rotton Park Road.

It’s because a new ‘chicane’ and gate have been installed in a bid to deter motorcycles and quad bikes causing nuisance and following a spate of dangerous incidents.

Posting a photo of his access out of the reservoir being blocked, BBC journalist David said: “There’s always money to make life harder for cyclists apparently. A set of new gates at top of reservoir path that now stops me exiting in the cargo bike. So forcing me and the kids back onto the road for my commute. Genius.”

David added: “This is our route to nursery and I take my two twins and five-year old with me on the cargo bike. The gate, I’m told, will remain closed for the time being at least, which is annoying as it means we’ll be forced out onto the road now to get to nursery.

“I’m pretty sure getting the twins through in the buggy is now impossible, too. I hope the council updates its cycle maps to show this route is no longer accessible, especially for users of cargo bikes and other larger bikes like those owned by disabled cyclists.”

As for Birmingham City Council, transport chief Coun Liz Clements and parks boss Coun Majid Mahmood explained the reasoning behind the new chicane and gate. They said: “This pathway is part of the Edgbaston reservoir improvement works. Unfortunately there have been numerous incidents of dangerous nuisance behaviour from motorcycles and quad bikes around the reservoir which is why the chicanes have been installed.

“We would stress that in the ‘closed’ position they remain pedestrian, cycle and wheelchair accessible. However, the aim is to keep the gates open unless there are further nuisance incidents.”