STOP the new 3 meter wide tarmac 'alleged' cycle route and SAVE our Great Crested Newt & wildlife

Residents of Bedworth, we urgently need your help! this will have to be sent to the Council before the 20th, as that's when the Consultation ends!!

(Proposed Cycle Path, Eliot Gardens)Ref: 035973 (Planning) - accepted 22/10/18 Site 104A011 - cycle path, r/o 9 Silver Birch Avenue, to 4 Juniper Close, Bedworth Creation of a 3m wide cycle route (running from 'The Nook' to Smorrall Lane balancing pond)

ALL APPLICATIONS LISTED (Click here to view)

Residents in and surrounding Mallow Croft on the Bluebell estate, Bedworth Heath, recently received a letter for the proposed construction of a 3 meter wide cycle route that passes directly in front of many of the local houses (ref 035973)

There is simply no need for this at all. The residents suspect that the deal between the planning department and Arbury Estates who gained planning permission to build 200 houses of Astley Lane has already been agreed without consultation and subsequently this cycle path (road!) may already be underway in it's planning.
As part of the 'planning deal' Arbury Estate had to provide Section 106 money towards community infrastructure, for some bizarre reason the Council felt there was a need to connect our side of Bedworth to the Town Centre for Cyclists.

The residents in which it affects directly and indirectly felt the letter they received was extremely misleading and was under the impression that the old disused railway track was the subject of the new cycle route and therefore any positive community development of such a disused eyesore would be a welcome edition to the community safety and area upgrade.

However, a local resident noticed the letter and the actual plans were not clear, and after further investigation, not only did the council make the confirmed deal with Arbury Estate previous to the residents notification of the plans, the planning application of 200 new homes on Ansty Road had been agreed in the provisory of Arbury contributing towards a community infrastructure, which turns out to be this 3 meter wide tarmac cycle route (road) with concrete edging (This we feel is not a cycle path but a road!) a cycle path would be of similar size to the exhisting paths within the nook). 
Worryingly the proposed route was not where it seemed to have suggested in the first council letter that the residents received, but in fact, is being proposed on the popular green dog walking route directly in front of may of the properties including those on Mallow Croft.

This is not only a green space of beauty, it includes very important habitats for a wide variety of species of animals, including the now endangered and protected GREAT CRESTED NEWT, to which is located in several areas along the route of the proposed cycle track (road). This would have a devastating effect on the wildlife if it goes ahead.

The residents of Mallow Croft and many of the surrounding properties strongly and most vehemently oppose this application on the basis of the following rationale;

Increased motorcycles - There is currently a major problem with motorcyclists that shouldn't be using this stretch of land. They race pass the houses with no regard for any walkers / dog walkers / children / residents.
Residents have witnessed accidents / collisions between motorcyclists and near misses with walkers and their dogs. Which have been reported on numerous occasions to the police.
When challenged, motorcyclists have shouted abuse and threats to the residents.
The cycle route (road) will most definitely encourage more motorcyclists and therefore further increase noise, disruption and will be further health hazard.

The residents also feel there is an increased risk of travellers setting up camp due to the increased access opportunities which in turn would create stress and possible land damage.

The proposed site will also increase fly tipping, cars and people, including further traffic on the estate, therefore not only increasing mess/litter but further parking issues on an already heavily populated estate and around the proposed access points along the route.

We currently have a problem with youngsters (teenagers) using the area hanging around drinking alcohol and being offensive to walkers / dog walkers and residents, these teenagers often leave a terrible mess, including broken bottles / glass.

The route will increase the number of people who currently have no environmental regard for the area. Encouraging unsociable behaviour from gangs of youths, already in existence.

We are deeply disappointed to why this application was even proposed in the first place, when the original plan some 10 plus years ago was to use the dismantled railway line for such a purpose. Something that the majority of local residents would indeed support. That way the noise, mess and health hazards would be contained in an area AWAY from the local residents.

The planning information / communication that has been issued to the local residents is extremely confusing and misleading. The residents interpretation from the plans, is that the route passes through the dismantled railway line - and it clearly doesn't!
And due to this, it has left very little time to object the proposal.

Residents want the dismantled railway line, which is currently used by fly tippers as a dumping ground to be cleaned up and used as a clean and pleasant public space - the council have caused extreme confusion, because some residents still think that this is what they are actually proposing - which, sadly they are not!!!

The access and refusal to put up barriers along the proposed route will increase the risk of joyriders, vehicle thefts, burnt out abandoned cars, and give an easy escape route for burglars which decreases the residents security.

The residents are highly concerned that the proposed plans for the (road) cycle route will also devalue many of the properties that face directly onto the site.

1. It is completely unnecessary in our opinion and will spoil the already heavily used path and view
2. There is already an old unused railway line / track running parallel to the green in a dip that is sturdy behind trees and over 3m wide that could be updated and used. If it carried coal trains then the foundations are already there for a 'cycle track' if there has to be one at all
3. It will/could negatively increase numbers of people into the estate
4. It will/could negatively increase numbers of vehicles into the estate
5. It will/could negatively increase all traffic into the estate
6. If the council wants to connect this estate to Bedworth Town then they could make a cycle path from the new 200 housing estate off Astley Lane over the road to the old unused PIT which wouldn't affect any houses or residents and link Astley Lane through the PIT and connect to Bedworth Town
7. We don't need a cycle path in our opinion down through Eliot Gardens to Siblings Pool. There is already the old railway track, multiples paths around The Nook wide enough for bicycles and paths around Siblings Pool
8. We don't need a ROAD either as the plans show a 3m wide path with CONCRETE EDGING.... THAT'S A ROAD surely NOT A CYCLE PATH? 
9. We already have a problem with motorbikes and scramblers being used illegally on the land parallel to Mallow Croft / Orchid Close / Celandine Way. This 'cycle path' will/could exacerbate this problem
10. With a 3m wide 'path' with concrete edging it will/could encourage unwanted travellers into the estate which is already a well known problem in Bedworth Nuneaton and surrounding areas
11. It will/could increase noise pollution onto the estate
12. There are a large number of dog walkers that use the existing path and green which is currently scenic scenic and safe. A 3m concrete edged path will/could destroy this
13. It will/could increase litter and mess onto the estate
14. It will/could increase parking difficulties as Mallow Croft is already over quota with cars coming up the driveways and any available pavements at the end of the culdesac
15. It will/could encourage unsociable behaviour from groups of youths who already illegally use alcohol and drugs down in the unused railway track - why doesn't the Council use that as the cycle track if they have to make a cycle track to stop this antisocial behaviour and to stop the fires that are set and litter waste rubbish vandalism and burnt out bikes that is a big problem already in existence there
16. The path / ROAD will/could destroy and destruct the natural habitat and beauty of the area.
17. The PROTECTED GOLD CRESTED NEWT colony that exists on the land running parallel to Mallow Croft will/cpuld be destroyed
17. The current habitat forna and flora will /could be destructed
18. The path / ROAD will/could encourage joyriders, vehicle thefts from the estate, an easy escape route for burglars
19. It will/could negatively affect the safety of residents on the estate
20. Our properties on the estate will/could be devalued
21. The dog walking community who use our area and often meet up in groups for walks which pass along the area in question will/could be destroyedPlease help the residents put a stop to this environmental disaster and unwanted use of a popular rural area of natural beauty and protected wildlife. The proposal also plans to remove 3 areas of scrub under the trees, which is a wildlife haven for many creatures.

It is strongly felt that the disused railway which is currently misused and attracts, fires, drug users, vandalism, alcohol misuse, rubbish and burnt out vehicles, would have been welcomed, and a much needed community project.

Please help us stop this planned destructive (road) cycle path, and encourage the re development of the old railway line which so desperately needs upgraded.

There is simply no need to build a 3 meter wide tarmac road on this popular grassed area, which they will connect up to the new 200 houses via another 3 meter wide (road) cycle route. The fear is also that once built, in the future, the cycle route will have a change of use into a fully developed access road for larger vehicles.

Thank you for reading our petition and on behalf of all the Mallow Croft Residents, we appreciate your signature of support in this matter.