A MAN has raised concerns about cyclists hitting pedestrians as they ride down an alleyway and through a park.

Mike Walsh, a carer from Portslade, contacted his councillor and MP to express fears over cyclists riding fast down an alleyway from Vale Gardens to Vale Park, Portslade.

Mr Walsh said the entrance to Vale Park is not only a major access point to St Mary’s Catholic School and church, but also an entrance and exit point to four residential bungalows which house elderly and vulnerable people.

In a letter to Peter Kyle MP, Mr Walsh wrote: “Over the last couple of years we have been clipped, hit and struck by cyclists riding down the back alley into Vale Park as we have been leaving our bungalow.”

Mr Walsh said cyclists are regularly coming down the alley at speed.

He said: “The gates are high and as you come out you have to go really gingerly, as you have no clue if a cyclist is riding down.

“There is one lady in her 90s who has been hit twice.

“Two other neighbours and I have been scraped, and our dogs have nearly been hit.

“There is the back entrance to the school at either end of the alleyway, with loads of kids coming and going, and you can see it happening one day - one of them is going to get hit.

“A cyclist also damaged a car in a disabled bay outside one of the bungalows - the wing mirror was smashed.”

Mr Walsh said he has been sworn and shouted at by cyclists when he has politely asked them to slow down.

“I’m all for cycling, and I cycle myself,” he said.

“What we would like is either a gate put up at the other end to stop this rat run happening, or even a ‘cyclists please dismount’ sign put up.

“We look out for each other in our little bungalow community and we all feel this is an issue that needs addressing, before one of our elderly or vulnerable residents gets hurt.”

Les Hamilton, Labour councillor for South Portslade, said: “That alley should certainly not be used for cycling in my opinion.

“It’s not wide enough, and is entirely unsuitable.

“What we really need to do is put a ‘no cycling’ sign up.”

Mr Hamilton said he would take a look at the alley and would be happy to address the issue.