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Deloitte Ride Across Britain 2014Highland businesswoman urges "assertive action" against cycling events on A82 next weekend
A woman opposed to a pair of cycling events taking place on a road that runs alongside Loch Ness has issued an appeal for other locals to join her in taking “assertive action” in protest against the disruption she believes other local residents will suffer.
Some 800 riders taking part in the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, who will tackle the Land’s End to John O’Groats route, are due to ride along the A82 between Fort William and Inverness on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September.
Road safety campaigners the A82 Partnership said last week that it was “cycling madness” that the riders taking part in the event would be passing along that stretch of road at the same time as more than 250 people taking part in the Rat Race Coast to Coast event from Nairn to Ballachulish were travelling the other way.
Anita Nicholls, who together with her husband Simon runs a Lochaber-based training firm whose clients are mainly from the voluntary sector, told the Aberdeen Press & Journal that organisers of the events viewed the area as “a playground” and do not take the views of local people into account.
“I am great supporter of tourism as a key element of boosting the local economy, but not to the detriment of local business and the health and wellbeing of Lochaber residents,” she insisted, while issuing an appeal to other people living in the area to join her in opposing the events.
“I am willing to put my time and expertise into organising assertive action which stays within the law, but frustrates this event and shows the strength and resilience of the Lochaber community in the face of massive disruption and a lack of meaningful negotiation.
“If anyone else is interested in helping to plan this action and take part, I should be very glad to hear from them,” she added.
There is no hint of what kind of “assertive action” Mrs Nicholls is advocating that would involve staying within the bounds of the law and not causing disruption to other road users.
Cyclists who have taken part in events such as the Etape Caledonia or some of the sportives held in the New Forest will be mindful that tacks have been spread on the road to cause disruption, or signs moved – the latter not an issue on the A82, given it is a straight road running up one side of the loch.
We are seeking clarification from Mrs Nicholls about what she has in mind, as well as from Police Scotland about how they intend to maintain order.
The A82 Partnership has distanced itself from her appeal, with spokesman Stewart MacLean “As an organisation we would not wish to get involved in any demonstration or ‘assertive’ action.”
Organisers of both the cycling events in question have also sought to reassure people living in the area that disruption will be kept to a minimum, and that the needs of the local communities have been taken into account.
A spokesperson for the Rat Race Coast to Coast event said: “We have liaised with the organisers of the RAB on the interaction of both events for this year, which occurs at a location off the A82.”
Meanwhile, Threshold Sports, who organise the Deloitte Ride Across Britain, said: “We are working with the key local authorities to minimise disruption as much as possible and will continue to do so until the event has passed through the area.”
Given its spectacular scenery, renown as a tourist destination and position on the Land’s End to John O’Groats route, not to mention Fort William’s status as a leading location for mountain biking including staging UCI events, the Scottish Highlands attract a lot of cyclists.
A report from Transform Scotland has estimated that cycle tourism, including organised events, is worth up to £239 million to the country’s economy – and even a decade ago, a separate report estimated that the Highlands & Islands benefited from cycling to the tune of £40 million a year.
Events such as the Deloitte Ride Across Britain also raise significant amounts of money for charity – in this case, £1.5 million in its first two years alone.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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54 comments
If she genuinely wants to do something useful why doesn't she focus on actual problems that do detriment local health and safety like campaigning to stop pricks in Mitsubishi Evos and Subaru Imprezas racing each other along there?
Had a friend staying out that way who was nearly killed whilst driving along at dusk on that section of road and from his subsequent casual discussions with the family he was staying with its a regular occurrence.
Car though isn't it and we all know how blind people choose to be when the actual terror on our roads is mentioned. Silly woman, too much time on her hands, campaigning on issues so far down the real list of public highway problems she exposes herself as being a classic nimby. Do something useful please, perhaps people will consider your 'desperate plea' for support.
I'm surprised she hasn't noticed the effect of 800 drivers in cars on local roads.....
Simon McMichael said:
"Section 5 [of the Public Order Act 1986] doesn't apply to Scotland. Can't find the relevant legislation right now but I imagine there are similar provisions."
Correct. The relevant law in Scotland is Breach of the Peace. BoP in Scotland is a widely used common law offence. It typically attracts fines of a few hundred quid - n.b. you cannot be 'bound over to keep the peace', as in England. However it can carry an unlimited custodial sentence if tried in the High Court.
http://www.police-information.co.uk/legislation/legislationindexsco.html...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breach_of_the_peace#Scotland
To be fair...
I've heard a lot of criticism (from cyclists in the area) of the bad planning having these events running parallel on the same day, and apparently some sort of car club outing too (plus there is a load of pretty annoying roadworks round there). It's not the safest road anyway for cycling and this doesn't really help. Don't condone 'assertive action' but the bloody organizers could really do with checking these things sometimes.
I've done the Deloitte RAB. As far as I can make out we only rode the A82 from Fort William to Loch Ness and then rode the B road on the South side. I don't remember their being much traffic along that stretch. Whereas the A82 along the North side of Loch Ness is a heaving traffic nightmare.
However when I did it there weren't as many as 800 riders.
Hmm.... the dates and times are known, so how come the silly auld trout can't just stay in and watch the telly for a couple of hours? She could make some jam and boil her head, too.
Couldnt resist....
You're correct, I don't cycle or drive on those particular roads and as the situation involving vehicles passing cyclists only ever occurs on these particular roads...
Oh, wait...
I was looking to tour and cycle around Loch Ness over a 7 day period early next year with a group of friends, Is this saying that cyclists are not really welcome ???
i'm sure we'll see cyclists (as slower road users) pulling in to the lay-bys and passing places to allow the large queues of faster-moving road users to overtake without risk or incident, thereby promoting goodwill and harmony for all.
after all, it's expected of HGVs and farm vehicles.
And i am sure that we will see observation of road conditions, speed limits and considerate overtaking from car drivers...
On that road? Not gonna happen.
I'd imagine most cyclists would be more than happy to pull in at a passing point or a layby to let a queue of traffic through in this manner, as long as meant that roboplegic wrongcocks like yourself kept their distance and waited patiently up to those passing points.
The other alternative is to just pass the cyclists safely by overtaking on the other side of the road when it is clear.
you're in manchester, i'm in inverness. i don't think we've met. given your jerky knee, probably a good thing too.
i both cycle and drive on the roads under discussion regularly. i'm fairly certain you do not.
What the thing to see now is if she actually has any local support or if others just think shes being a moaning busybody who should STFU.
If she does anything slightly illegal then she should know whats coming!
Come on Deloitte, surely there are enough clients and ex employees in HMRC to have a very good look at her tax returns
I have racked my brains to think of an assertive action that could be use that would stay within the law. I don't think there is one.
This is a physical threat to cyclists.
And what she has already done is already an offence under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. Section 5(1) :
"(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he:
(a) uses threatening [or abusive] words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening [or abusive],
within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby."
The words "or abusive" were substituted for the words ", abusive or insulting", in both places they occurred,[1] on 1 February 2014.[2]
She may be relying on the police to turn a blind eye but I would counsel the organisers of the event to apply for a restraining order on the woman. Then the local police are legally required not to turn a blind eye to acts of harassment because a court order requires them to restrain the harassment.
And to all cyclists on the event. Helmet cams, bar cams, mobile phones set to video for quick use, small cameras. Look for faces and number plates, listen for names. Don't swear back. If confronted with a blockage make efforts to pass it. Get your mates to film the reaction. Call the police as many times as is necessary citing number plates and descriptions. Ask local police to intervene, note numbers of the cops and the time you asked for intervention.
Remember the law is on your side. They will be acting illegally whatever they do. Even making you feel threatened is an offence.
Only if they've made Scotland part of England and Wales; section 5 doesn't apply to Scotland. Can't find the relevant legislation right now but I imagine there are similar provisions.
Standing by the side of the route with a sign saying "down with this sort of thing". That's quite assertive isn't it?
She and her supporters are most welcome to do that if they wish, I'm sure those taking part would even give her a cheery wave as they pass.
careful now.
Snowgoose Solutions website appears to be down this morning, or is it just me?
Would be also very petty of someone to suggest picking a date 2 or 3 months in the future and making a reminder for yourself to give Snowgoose a taste of their own "assertive action" medicine to prolong the disruption to their business.
Very petty.
I was looking forward to RAB already, this has sealed the deal!
I did the RatRace C2C last year and hardly saw any traffic at all the impact will be minimal imho, whining nimbys, they're everywhere!
New Forest resident here so have got more than a fair share here too unfortunatly
These are local roads - for local people - there's nothing for you here!
That stretch of the A82 is one I've ridden a couple of times. Didn't enjoy it much, the drivers hoon along it.
Checking the route (www.rideacrossbritain.com/the-route/day-8/), CXR94Di2, it does take the lumpy B852 to the East of Loch Ness just after Fort Augustus, so some of these statements are a little mis-leading.
The A82 is pretty difficult to avoid - particuarly up to Fort William and just North alongside Loch Lochy - and the only real alternative for end-to-enders is the A9. Needless to say, we chose the A82 in July...
Quite apart from thecynical NIMBism in her attitude, what she is proposing is to prevent the lawful use of the Queen's highway by legitimate users on vehicles approved for the purpose.
Hopefully the local constabulary will be able to prevent her disruption of the event.
As for the effect on local businesses it has long been my view that as cyclists we generally bring more money into the local economy of the areas we visit than any other kind of user, because we generally travel light and buy as we go
And the lovely Mrs Nicholls can be contacted at 01397 701107 or info [at] snowgoosesolutions.co.uk with your constructive comments on the matter!
So ringing Snowgoose solutions asking about confidence training for a vulnerable group would be wrong?
The A82 Partnership do not appear to be "Road safety campaigners", they are just trying to get the A82 "upgraded" to a dual carriageway.
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