Vince Cable backs petition against Duke’s Head Passage cycling ban

Those campaigning against a ban on cycling along the Duke’s Head Passage into London’s Bushy Park received a boost this week when Vince Cable expressed his support. The former MP for Twickenham urged people to sign a petition asking for the decision to be reversed.

‘No cycling’ signs were put up at either end of Duke’s Head Passage in April, but campaigners argue that the 500-metre long path from Hampton Village is the safest route by which cyclists can enter Bushy Park.

A Freedom of Information request put in to the Royal Parks revealed that there have been no reported accidents involving cyclists and few complaints.

A Royal Parks spokesman said: “We’re not excluding anyone from using this pathway, and we feel that walking with your bike for 10 minutes (at the most) or keeping your dog on a lead are very small compromises that will benefit all park users.”

Cable was MP for Twickenham, the constituency in which the park lies, until losing his seat at the 2015 general election.

Tweeting a link to the petition, Cable said:

“As somebody who has cycled & occasionally walked in @dukesheadbushy I agree that @theroyalparks need to find a more a measured response ... Rather than simply banning cycling altogether. If you agree please sign the petition”