In reply to J Josey, North Baddesley – as far as I can see (and I’ve just searched on the council’s website for this) Castle Lane is NOT a cycle path.

Perhaps the letter writer has made an assumption based on the poor provision they saw at Botley Road.

Yes there are massive problems with using offroad facilities. In fact in the cycling clubs and online they’re referred to as “farcilities!”

Three times this year alone I’ve had my tyres slashed to flat due to some sad soul who keeps smashing bottles on the off-road bits. I also suffered damage to the headset of one of my bikes due to the very poor surfacing on the Millbrook route. I’m out of pocket by well over £100 because of that!

Then there is signage – there is no consistency and no continuation. Its off-on-off-on-off road again in places.

Perhaps instead of complaining J Josey and others could actively ask for better – procedures that we know work, and sign the Get Britain Cycling petition: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/49196

D J COOK, Sholing, Southampton.