Call for action over attacks on Bristol & Bath Railway Path

A runner who regularly uses the Bristol & Bath Railway Path fears there could be fatal consequences if more isn’t done to tackle crime on the route.

Concerned about the number of attacks on people using the path, Duncan Edwards decided to carry out his own research and compile data on incidents that have been reported over the last year in a bid to help seek a solution.

Using information from news reports and social media posts, the Fishponds resident noted at least 25 incidents – including theft, knife crime, sexual assault, intimidation and tree trunks being dragged onto the path – over a 12-month period, most of which have been reported to police.

Mapping where each had occurred, he found that many of these incidents were concentrated in small stretches, particularly between Lodge Causeway and the former Mangotsfield railway station. The majority also occurred between 4.30pm and 8pm.

Duncan is now calling for a coordinated effort between the police, local authorities and communities to tackle criminality in the area, believing better lighting, more CCTV and police bike patrols could all help.

Avon & Somerset Police say patrols have been stepped up in the area in response to public concern about anti-social behaviour and theft, but have issued reassurances that they have not seen a particular spike in reported crime and do not believe there to be a series of linked events.

Speaking to Bristol24/7 after he first published his findings in the Bristol Cyclists Facebook group, Duncan said he was driven to research incidents in the area after hearing a lot of anecdotal evidence of people being put off from using the B2B due to fear of attack or intimidation.

“I run every day and I have seen a few incidents and groups of people waiting and blocking cyclists and using threatening behaviour,” he said.

“My wife was saying she didn’t want to go running because of this and I felt like a lot of people were saying that. I thought if I collated the information then we could get someone to look at it or do something about it.

“My main focus is I want the path to be safer. I want something to change and I thought if I put all the data together it would help.

“It’s clear what the problem is and it’s clear it’s going to get worse. It’s a commuter route and it’s important to all people just to get to and from work and we don’t want to be scared coming home from work every day.”

Duncan’s research found many of the incidents were concentrated on the stretch between Lodge Causeway and the old Mangotsfield railway station – photo by Ellie Pipe

Duncan has written to Bristol mayor Marvin Rees asking for his support in tackling the issue, outlining his fear that the problem is escalating and could culminate in someone “getting killed or sexually assaulted if it doesn’t get addressed”.

The runner has already received support from other path users since posting about his research and believes there is an appetite for a Neighbourhood Watch-style system to pass information on to police.

Deepak Kenth, the neighbourhood inspector for Bristol East, said police patrols have been stepped up around the popular thoroughfare over the weekend in response to public concerns following recent reported incidences of anti-social behaviour and theft.

Inspector Kenth said investigations into these incidents are ongoing, adding: “I’d like to reassure the public that we do not believe we are seeing a particular spike in crime or a ‘series’ of linked incidents, and that levels of reported crime are not significantly higher than in previous years.

“We’d encourage anyone who spots groups of young people being intimidating, anti-social or blocking the path to call 101 as soon as possible, or 999 if they fear a crime is being committed. All reports will be thoroughly investigated.”

The Bristol & Bath Railway Path was the first route of the National Cycle Network – photo by Ellie Pipe

The much-loved 13-mile off-road path stretching between Bristol and Bath was the first major infrastructure project undertaken by walking and cycling charity Sustrans, completed in 1986.

Sustrans south of England director, James Cleeton, said: “It’s saddening to see that there have been a number of criminal incidents along this much-loved route in recent months. We would urge anyone who has been the victim of or witness to a crime to report it to the police.

“A greater visible police presence on the path would act as a deterrent for criminal behaviour and provide confidence to the community who uses the route.”

A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “We take crime and anti-social behaviour on the Railway Path and all the city’s parks and green spaces seriously.

“The path is an important part of the city’s green transport infrastructure as well as a route enjoyed by families throughout the year. Mr Edwards’ analysis demonstrates an issue of concern and we welcome the additional police patrols stepped up this weekend. We will continue to discuss the issue of safety with our partners in the police and Sustrans to identify causes and potential viable security improvements.”

Duncan Edwards has discovered that many of the incidents reported on the B2B in the last 12 months were concentrated in small stretches, particularly between Lodge Causeway and the former Mangotsfield railway station – photo by Ellie Pipe

Main photo by Ellie Pipe

Read more: Have your say on future of Bristol & Bath Railway Path