Safety at Hillingdon Circuit

[Keith Shorten]

Hi All

There have always been problems due to Minet Park being open access to the public while cycle races and training are taking place on Hillingdon Circuit. Many years ago staggered low level wooden barriers were erected across circuit entry and crossing points with ‘Cyclists’ carved on them as a warning/deterrent. These were never very effective and are now aged and wrecked. It would help race marshalling and safety when riders are training if all entry and crossing points to the circuit had tubular steel staggered barriers erected across them with permanent steel warning notices attached. I suggest that the wording might be, ‘Minet Park Cycle Circuit, Look both ways. Do not step into the path of speeding racing cyclists.’ I attach an indicative sketch of what I am proposing.

BW

KeithS

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[Keith Shorten]

Hi All

Tom Webster reply on WhatsApp - 9^th May 2025

 

If something is being done I'd be happy to help finesse the designs, specifications, supply/contracting. It might help to provide event-specific warning signage including racing direction, e.g via padlocked hinged signs or having places to hang temporary correx signs.

 

KeithS reply WhatsApp and gmail - 9^th May 2025

 

Hi Tom, That would be good. To be implemented the proposal would have to be approved by the Friends of Minet Country Park committee. Note that this committee represents the wishes of local residents as park users to Hillingdon Borough Council. It also includes representatives from local business and community organisations. Hillingdon Cycle Circuit Users' Group have members on the committee and the proposals would have to be put before the committee by them. It would involve a detailed examination of the barrier/warning sign designs, locations and cost/funding.

 

What prompted my proposal was an incident at the Circuit 10 last Wednesday evening. I think that I was the only one wearing a high viz marshall gilet around the circuit. Towards the end, a lady competitor riding a cooling down lap, stopped beside me and told me in robust language that a group of pedestrians had nearly caused her to crash near the entrance from under the Hayes Bypass. In her view the fault was a lack of marshals. That may be. It is also time to renew the infrastructure that is intended to warn pedestrians and make them aware of speeding cyclists using the circuit at any time.

 

BW

KeithS

 

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