Chester cyclists’ tripwire terror

Jul 25 2008 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

Cyclists’ tripwire terror

CYCLISTS were subjected to a savage attack after challenging teenagers tying a tripwire across a cycle path.

Two Chester men, aged 24 and 26, were cycling on the Millennium Cycleway from Hoole to North Wales last Tuesday afternoon when they spotted two boys, aged 16-18, setting up a steel wire trap near Saughall Road, Blacon.

Cheshire police spokeswoman Rachel Hayes said when they challenged the pair, the youths struck them with a plank of wood; their injuries required hospital treatment.

The assault happened just five days before a motorcyclist was thrown from his saddle and killed when he rode into wire suspended between two trees on a dirt track in Southport.

Martin Gooch, of Chester and North Wales Cycling Touring Club, said: “It’s not the first time wire has been put across there. There’s always kids there having a go.”

Steve Howe, of Brookes Avenue, Broughton, who regularly uses the route, warned: “If this is the sort of stuff that goes on, somebody is going to die.”

Blacon PCSO Mike Henry said: “Now we have found out there is a problem, we are trying to combat that and increase patrols. I don’t want people to be scared.”

Sustrans’ cyclepath, land and maintenance manager Paul Thomas said: “We work hard to try and publicise the cycleway as somewhere great for families to go so it’s a bit of a worry.”

A Sustrans warden will be checking the area regularly.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the teenagers – who were wearing dark tracksuits, had shaven heads and slim builds – to come forward.

Call Chester Outer NPU on 0845 458 6375 or Crimestoppers on 0800555111.