While I have no objection to encouraging more people to take to their bikes, is it really necessary to bring Norwich city-centre traffic to its knees to do this?

So far this year we have had the permanent banning of cars on St Stephen's, endured the upheaval of roadworks on Chapel Field North, Westlegate, Magdalen Street, and now we have to tolerate the disruption and subsequent eyesore of our beautiful ancient Tombland/cathedral area being torn up to accommodate cyclists.

Like it or not, it is a fact we are a nation of car drivers and our modern lifestyles, desiring to travel quickly and comfortably, have encouraged this. Norwich is our county's metropolis, therefore people from all over rural Norfolk and beyond want access to it.

Moreover, a car journey is the only option when Norfolk public transport is neither available or convenient, making walking or cycling clearly not a practical option.

This disruption of traffic for months on end has frustrated many and is probably driving people away to shop, live and work elsewhere.

Norwich is not Amsterdam, where cyclists reign over cars, Cambridge, or even London for that matter.

Unlike Norwich, these cities have excellent public transport and their people have different needs.

London caters for rail commuters/shoppers and tourists,Cambridge for car-less university students and Amsterdam with its extensive trams network criss-crossing its attractions has a cosmopolitan transient mix of young cyclists living and working there.

Moreover, Amsterdam is famous for its culture of socialising/drinking, legal use of smoking cannabis and sightseeing, so cars really aren't necessary.

To survive, our city needs to attract more people of all ages, cultures and preferences to work, shop, and socialise here, otherwise they will go elsewhere.

Unfortunately a few fit, sporty, Lycra-clad types and a handful of the latest posh Pashleys push-bikers pedalling along with wicker baskets carrying a bit of shopping home for tea is never going to keep Norwich's economy afloat.

Just as our tourist season is reaching its peak, unbelievably our beautiful historical city has become inaccessible and embarrassingly ugly.

Why don't you head down to Tombland and see for yourself the 'bomb site' outside our ancient cathedral and the historical Maids Head Hotel in the heart of our sightseeing city centre.

I'm sure if the bright red painted statues of Samson and Hercules looking down on this devastation could speak they would be swearing right now too.

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