Transport / Road safety concern in Bressay over prospect of large cycle tour groups
COULD Bressay’s roads infrastructure cope with up to 40 cyclists visiting the island off a cruise ship?
The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of Bressay Community Council amid a proposal from cruise ship operator AIDA for cycle tours to visit the island.
But the higher prevalence of single track roads in Bressay has caused added concern.
Bressay Community Council chair Lindsay Tulloch – a former police chief for Shetland – stressed the island is very happy to welcome visitors.
But he said the “proposal of cycle tours of up to 40 cyclists at one time is concerning”.
“Bressay roads infrastructure consists of single track with passing places and very few footpaths,” Tulloch said.
“Such numbers could lead to road safety issues and congestion.
“We are happy to engage with tour operators to accommodate smaller groups, and find alternatives ways in which people can come and enjoy visiting to Bressay safely.”
However, a spokesperson for AIDA Cruises said the company only operates in groups of up to ten cyclists.
They added that multiple groups would not travel together to try to avoid congestion.
“We are aware of the concerns and take them very seriously,” the spokesperson said.
“Already we have only groups of up to 10 persons. If there are more than one group, we start them with a time lapse and go in different directions.
“This already applies for Lerwick and would also apply for Bressay.”
Draft minutes from Bressay Community Council’s last meeting in late September noted how the local development group had also expressed concern about the proposal in terms of infrastructure.
The minutes added: “We would prefer to have a consultation with the cruise organisers (along with Bressay Development Ltd) to see what could be accommodated and what provision could be put in place with engagement with roads department.”
It was also noted how groups of ten would be more manageable – “ten could fit into a passing place and would be a more reasonable number” for local cafe Speldiburn to cope with.
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