'Cheese grater' bridge petition demands new safe surface
- Published
Cyclists say the bridge is known as the cheese grater for both its aesthetic and skin grating qualities
Cyclists who use a stainless steel bridge in Bristol say its surface urgently needs to be changed because it is a hazard in the wet.
Meads Reach at the start of the Bristol to Bath cycle track is perforated with 55,000 holes, earning it the nickname the cheese grater.
A petition has been started urging Bristol City Council to force the owner to make safety improvements.
Temple Quay Management Company said it is looking into the problem.
A statement from the company said it was aware there "can be a problem with the surface" of the bridge in wet weather and that safety of cyclists and pedestrians was of "paramount importance".
GVA Facilities Management, who manage the bridge on behalf of the owner, said there had already been an investigation into the complaints.
A spokesman said the issue "is now with our surveying department and legal team" who would be contacting the original installers.
The petition, external - started on Friday by Toby Bridgeman - has so far gathered more than 320 names.
Mr Bridgeman said people are "consistently falling of their bikes, external" requiring to trips to A&E.
"Requests to GVA for improvements have not resulted in any action," he said.
The petition calls on Bristol City Council to force GVA and the Temple Quay Management Company to "make the bridge safe for both cyclists and pedestrians immediately".
Anthony Dunn from Easton fell off his bike on the bridge last week and said he had X-rays on his hand, four stitches in his lip and two chipped teeth.