“What should be a one-minute journey takes up to 15 minutes” – Residents launch petition to remove obstructing zig-zag barriers

A petition to remove zig-zagged barriers across the Adelphi Footbridge has gained over 60 signatures in less than a week.

The petition comes after residents of Blackfriars and Lower Broughton noticed the difficulty that wheelchairs users, mobility scooters, cyclists and pram-users had when accessing the bridge.

Connecting the Ellenbrook Estate to the Riverside path, the Adelphi Footbridge sees commuters from Peel Park, River View Primary School, The Friars Primary School, St Peter and St John’s Primary School and the University.

Local cyclist and Father-of-two, Pavol Gajdos, crosses the bridge everyday on the school-run. An avid cycler, Gajdos and his family have had to find alternative routes to cross the bridge, making what should be a one-minute crossing into a 15 minute detour.

He said: “It’s a real hassle, if you cycle through there every day, it becomes a real pain. My children and I cycle to School everyday with a trailer on the back and we have to pack everything up, just to get through.

“It isn’t just those with bikes and wheelchairs. If you come with a group of five friends, and there’s another group coming, you can’t pass each other. It’s absolutely unnecessary and outdated.”

When Gajdos and local cyclist, Lee Shannon, contacted the Council about the possibility of removing the barriers, the Council claimed the infrastructure was in place to prevent Motorcyclists from illegally crossing the bridge and reduce crime. He continued: “I’ve seen motorbikes, especially newer electric bikes, easily fit through the barriers. It’s an outdated infrastructure.”

Shannon and Gadjos also claim that the removal of similar gates by Salford City Council at Green Grosvenor Park has made a “positive impact and hasn’t resulted in the increase of motorbikes, mopeds etc. cutting across the park.”

Shannon and Gajdos set up the online petition and have so far received 62 signatures, just short of their 100 goal.

Gajdos also plans to create a QR code for the bridge so commuters can ‘scan and sign’ whilst on-the-go. He added: “Please, can I just have a clear path to get my kids to school. I don’t want obstructions in the way. Its outdated infrastructure that was never properly built, it’s not a solution.”

Salford City Council have been contacted for a statement on the matter.