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news
Dean Forest Greenway Project (StreetView)Fears new cycleway will lead to drunkenness, drug taking and 'naked selfies in the woods' (no, really)
A number of residents have lodged objections to a planned cycleway in the Forest of Dean. Among the concerns raised about the 5.8km Dean Forest Greenway Project are that it will result in drug-taking, nudity and “incursions into woodland by thrill seekers”.
The President of Royal Dean Forest Cycling Club said he believes the planned route, which would run along an old railway track between Parkend and Lydney, would save lives by taking cyclists and pedestrians off the busy Forest Road.
Others, however, are less positive. Gloucestershire Live reports that some are concerned the cycleway will draw large numbers with one resident pointing to a surge in visitors over the summer after an image was posted to social media as evidence of what could happen.
"Visitors came from as far afield a Tewkesbury and Cirencester, following a posting on Facebook of a photo of the small 'waterfall' through the old workings known as The Bayhead,” wrote one complainant.
"This caused severe noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour on a daily basis. The anti-social behaviour consisted of extreme noise levels of screaming kids and adults, drug taking, drunken and drugged teenage parties, semi-naked sunbathers, and even naked photography.
"Littering became a serious problem with dirty nappies, clothing and picnic remnants, a lot of which found their way into the river, dog fouling of the footpath and deposited poo bags also became a serious problem."
Another person asked: "How are incursions into woodland by thrill seekers to be controlled bearing in mind their current low key usage mainly by walkers and forestry workers and their role as animal habitats?"
Around twice as many letters have been submitted in favour of the project.
Greenways and West Dean Parish Council is yet to decide on the plans.
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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63 comments
This was a mess at Cannop Ponds when the lockdown was still going on first time around. Tents, a huge 'engraving' in the tree and bbq food and debris everywhere. All spineless humans not strong enough or brought up well enough to give a toss. Felt embarrassed for them. There was a family of Boars just a short walk away. What is it with some people? What makes them do this or throw McDonalds bags out of windows? Guess their life must be a mess as well.
Yes, but highly unlikely that this was caused by cyclists or walkers. Cannop ponds are easily accessible by car, and I'm 99% certain that the people who made this mess used a car, so clearly we should ban all cars from the Forest.
Again, this proves what I have found out about the anti-cyclists over the last 63 years - they are stupid people who make up facts.
"semi-naked sunbathers, and even naked photography"
Oh noes, won't someone think of the children! Both of these are legal and harmless, so the complainant is likely just a prude.
I'm more concerned about the fully clothed sunbathers. How does that even work?
I remember Assos (I think) marketing cycling jerseys that would allow the UV through to prevent tan lines, as if bib shorts tan lines would be in any way preferable to t shirt tan lines.
But will they were helmets and hi viz? Please, won't somebody think of the children?
If they have these fears about new cycle routes, and the council upholds those fears, then that council had better not build any new roads... I mean: a drug dealer might use one of them!
They all use drones these days !
Gloucestershire Live, and this journalist in particular have a reputation for very poor journalism. The views of the minority are usually expressed when it comes to cycling. By minority that often is likely to mean the journalist themself.
So although this shouldn't be published at all, just give it the respect or deserves!!! Gloucestershire Live seem to think its OK to spread such misrepresentative stories and encourage this attitude.
On the plus side, this project has had a lot of support. I hear there have been many more letters of support rather than objection. The forest welcomes cyclists, we get hundreds, and there are many who live here (that bit doesn't get reported by this publication /journalist!).
I think that holds for all of those <placename> Live local news websites. They're all put together by scraping social media for vaguely locally relevant stories, no actual investigation any more.
Given the current state of the world, I'd say that it's more likely that it's the locals getting the accusation in before being found out as the perpetrators of said acts in a Trumps style.
What's wrong with people?
This is a local forest for local people. You're not welcome here!
Sorry but they are right.
https://road.cc/content/news/224205-video-cyclists-stumble-across-couple...
I rest my case.
Great example of what lies behind a lot of the "I saw a cyclist do x bad thing" claims - turns out to be at most one instance, three years ago".
x = throwing litter, riding on the pavement, doing a wee somewhere they shouldn't.
I won't have it!
It's the tip of the iceberg
A sliver of the full scope
The peeling of the first layer of onion
Just scratching the surface.
In the original thread, someone put "gave me a semi". Thanks a bunch, mate, I can't unsee that now: the memory of my parental home sullied forever.
Lol, I think your case would be ripped apart. Don't pursue a career in law!!
One incident, in London, 3 years ago. I don't think that indicates that cycle paths encourage sex in the open 🤣🤣.
It always works for me....
It was a light hearted reference to an old story.
You're less likely to catch something that way of course. Stop the spread.
The Forest of Dean is lovely but is also pure Gammon heartland.
Look at any of the local newspapers or websites and the comments are full of people whining about having to recycle or denying climate change or complaining about not being able to drive their wankpanzers wherever they like.
I've seen a lot of really twattish driving around pedestrians and cyclists there as well.
But quite a few green councillors.
Only cos they've got moss growing on them....
Hardly; they're very active and very supportive of this scheme.
Bugger. I was planning on going down there with the Mrs after it opened so the pair of us could cycle naked down the path on a tandem. I'd finish the whole thing off by doing a couple of lines off her buttocks and then posting pics of the jolly time on Strava.
Guess I'll have to wait for another opportunity instead.
Can you let me know where and when? I'll sell tickets.
We have our own website, but new markets are always welcome
Does that not breach Strava terms of use? Tandems I mean.
who would be the stroker? would you get a KoM?
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