A PLAN to dig up some of the bicycle stands around Saffron Walden – just weeks after they were installed – has been described as a snub to environmental travel as well as a waste of public money. Saffron Walden Town Council will ask for the bicycle stan

A PLAN to dig up some of the bicycle stands around Saffron Walden - just weeks after they were installed - has been described as a "snub" to environmental travel as well as a waste of public money.

Saffron Walden Town Council will ask for the bicycle stands on the Market Square, Cromwell Road and Rowntree Way to be removed as soon as possible.

Keen cyclist Cllr Mike Hibbs criticised the decision, made at a meeting last Wednesday, saying that the council should do all it could to encourage cycling in the town.

"There is a debate to be had about what sort of bicycle stand to have and where to site them, but to remove them altogether is a spiteful snub to one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport," he said.

Councillors voiced concerns that stands had been installed by Essex County Council (ECC) without any consultation with the town council.

The council objected to the bicycle stands on the Market Square because they are located outside Barclay's Bank and at inappropriate angles which could cause health and safety issues.

Cllr Sandra Eden pointed out that the stands were not needed because they already had some on the Common car park which went unused.

The stands in Rowntree Way were branded "impractical and effectively unusable" because they are placed directly against a wall and stands on Cromwell Road were said to cause "obstruction to pavements".

A spokesman for ECC said: "The cycle racks in Rowntree Way and Market Square were installed in response to a direct request received by ECC.

"The county council encourages residents to cycle as a sustainable method of transport, and it is important that cyclists have a safe place to park their bikes. We did check that the racks were being placed in a suitable position before they were installed.

"There are no plans to remove the racks at present, but if residents have particular concerns we would ask them to contact the Area Highways Office."

DO you think the bike stands should be removed? Let us know by emailing editor@saffronwalden-reporter.co.uk