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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think this event should never have happened.

651 replies

DaisiesAreOurSilver · 13/05/2019 15:41

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mare-newborn-foal-die-because-15637103

Big cycle race of 100 miles in our area yesterday. Road closures from 5.30 am till 12.30 pm. Some streets were totally cut off for the whole time.

Residents were just told they should have parked outside the area the night before. For some that would mean a walk of a mile, given how many roads were closed. One family escorted through because they had a flight to catch but had to wait 25 minutes for an escort.

Carers were unable to visit the housebound clients, meals on wheels couldn't get through and the stewards didn't give a stuff. For some people it wasn't a question of finding a way around there were areas that were totally cut off for the duration.

But worst of all the stewards wouldn't let a emergency vet through and a mare and her foal died. The foal would have been worth a lot of money as was the mare. I hope the owner sues for every penny she can.

Residents are very angry and cannot understand why permission was granted for this to happen. If they try it again vigilantes have said they'll force the roads open if they try to close them. Feelings running very high.

OP posts:
GPatz · 13/05/2019 15:44

There is a similar event that happens yearly in Surrey which leaves residents housebound. Cyclists will just say 'its only for one day'.

PhyllisPearce · 13/05/2019 15:47

How can they refuse medical assistance through. Do they actually have the authority to do that ?
What a bloody heartbreaking story

Doyoumind · 13/05/2019 15:47

It was allowed to go ahead because it raised the profile of the area and brought in a lot of tourism/cash, I presume. A lot of risk assessments, planning and permissions would have come before it.

Rabbitmug · 13/05/2019 15:49

Surely you would have all been given plenty of notice beforehand? I totally get that that doesn't help with emergencies though..

GetHappy · 13/05/2019 15:51

It’s heartbreakinf for the animal and there owners. They should have been allowed access through!
If it was a pregnant woman or someone suffering cardiac arrest then an ambulance would have been let through.
I agree it is only for one day and wouldn’t really bother me parking somewhere else for a day/night but they need to let emergencies be dealt with.

GiveMeFiveMinutes · 13/05/2019 15:52

Veterinarians aren't classed as emergency personnel, unfortunately.

It's horrendous that a mare and foal, a huge part of the families livelihood, not to mention a much loved part of the family, died so some cyclists could have a jolly.

It is highly unfair to local residents too.

SuperSange · 13/05/2019 15:52

@Doyoumind There would have been a lot of risk assessments, yes. Does that excuse a mare and foal dying? People not being able to have their carers and missing meals and vital medication?

DontTreadOnMe · 13/05/2019 15:54

This just goes to show that the smug, inconsiderate, cycling lobby have far too much clout, something that motorists have been saying for years. Which ever pencil pushing council officer authorised this should hang their head in shame.

HBStowe · 13/05/2019 15:55

It’s incredibly sad that they didn’t let the vet through. It’s NIMBYism to say these events shouldn’t happen at all, but they have to be managed to ensure that everyone has fair notice and can make alternative plans for things like meals on wheels, and to ensure that access for emergency personnel is still prioritised.

lablablab · 13/05/2019 15:55

Terrible. There should be allowances made for emergencies, at the very least.

It may only be for one day, but residents still need to carry on with their daily lives - work, school, holidays, hospital appts, etc. They need to find a middle ground or residents will take matters into their own hands.

Troels · 13/05/2019 15:56

God thats disgusting. I hope that the residents are able to stop this next time. Glad to hear the vigilantes will force access for the carers and meals on wheels as well as the vet next time.

Frouby · 13/05/2019 15:57

If that was my mare and foal I would absolutely sue. And I would sue of I had an elderly or infirm relative who didn't recieve the care they needed. If someone needs help to get up and breakfast it would mean them being in bed until the afternoon.

Absolutely unacceptable that roads were closed and streets cut off like that. Fair enough if there are alternative if longer routes. But not make certain roads completely inaccessible for so long.

Kaddm · 13/05/2019 15:57

Too many roads closed.
Disgraceful and dangerous.
And many of the people taking part had abandoned their responsibilities for the weekend - there was a thread on her with a mum of 3 kids and 2 pets trying to juggle all sorts whilst her husband was off on his jollies along with several others who were in similar situation.

Nesssie · 13/05/2019 15:58

DontTreadOnMe Its a charity cycle ride. They happen a lot (tour de France) As they do in other sports- marathons etc. Its nothing about them being cyclists ffs.

What happened was awful but could hardly be expected, I'm sure they will be reviewing their procedures now.

And they gave residents plenty of notice of the routes and timings to allow businesses and locals a chance to rearrange.

Jellybeansincognito · 13/05/2019 15:59

We have this every year where I live (but later on in the year) and are completely trapped for the duration.

It’s nice people are running/ cycling etc to raise money for charity/ competitions but people shouldn’t be completely trapped for the duration and there should be a way in and out for everyone (every single access road in and out gets closed here and it’s nightmare).

Nesssie · 13/05/2019 16:00

And many of the people taking part had abandoned their responsibilities for the weekend Oh please Hmm

So one out of the 17000 who took part upset his partner and suddenly they are all irresponsible?

Yabbers · 13/05/2019 16:02

This happens round our way once a year. We have 3 months notice of it and it hasn’t cause any issues.

Did nobody really know it was happening?

RaptorWhiskers · 13/05/2019 16:03

Disgraceful. The vet should have been allowed access the same as other emergency personnel and essential services. They shouldn’t have been permitted to completely close the roads. How come a family got an escort to drive to the airport but the vet couldn’t get an escort for an emergency situation?!

MyFamilyAndOtherAnimals1 · 13/05/2019 16:03

Horrific. I was part of a big race yesterday, and the participants were made to give way to all traffic on the roads.
Considering how much money the directors of these types of races get, It should have been better organised.

Original poster
DaisiesAreOurSilver · 13/05/2019 16:04

And they gave residents plenty of notice of the routes and timings to allow businesses and locals a chance to rearrange.

How do people rearrange when they are totally cut off, not allowed in or out of certain areas? How do carers access clients in those totally cut off places? An entire housing estate was annexed, no way in or out for 7 hours. No matter how much notice people are given they can't learn to levitate their vehicles to get in and out. Carers only have a 15 minute slot. It would have taken them twice that to walk there from the nearest open road.

OP posts:
DontTreadOnMe · 13/05/2019 16:04

Its a charity cycle ride. They happen a lot (tour de France) As they do in other sports- marathons etc. Its nothing about them being cyclists ffs. If the participants were that bothered they could set up a direct debit surely? Cyclists are enough of a menace on the roads without having them closed off for a little jolly.

Loopytiles · 13/05/2019 16:07

That’s really sad.

Presumably the people responsible for planning and approving the event considered risks to residents, and local businesses, and who should be allowed through, and decided that risks to animals didn’t justify risks to competitors and spectators of vets, for example, being let through.

Loopytiles · 13/05/2019 16:08

Whether that was a carefully made, reasonable decision is debateable.

lisalocketlostherpocket · 13/05/2019 16:09

agree it is only for one day and wouldn’t really bother me parking somewhere else for a day/night but they need to let emergencies be dealt with

This. And of course vets should be let through. The marshals were obviously badly trained. We get this with our local half marathon which closes some local roads for up to 3 hours. People complain every year - they really can walk a short way to their cars in nearly all cases but the marshals are properly trained and would always let through carers or medical staff (whether for doctors or animals).

Not the event as such to blame but the poor management of it.

If I were going to the airport I would make sure I had a route planned. How could they not know in advance or were they staying with friends to be closer to an airport - but then why didn't they know about it.

Jessbow · 13/05/2019 16:09

Presumably the town concerned ( I know where it was) shouldn't have bid - and won- city for sport this year then,