Cyclist injured in accident at Watergrove Reservoir

Date published: 28 November 2018

A barrier preventing cars from accessing private land at Watergrove Reservoir appears to have recently caused a couple of cycling accidents.

The barrier on a private road, which stops cars driving into a private residence and United Utilities area, is to the left of the public carpark and signposted, close to the water tower and reservoir overflow.

There are speed bumps and a barrier with 'No Cycling' signs on the barrier, but they are on the opposite side: if a cyclist is coming down hill (having cycled around the reservoir by going right at the car park), the signs cannot be seen, and neither can the barrier, until it's too late.

Cyclist Grant Halliwell says he broke his collarbone due to the barrier not being visible until the last downhill drop.

He said: “I was riding my mountain bike at Watergrove Reservoir on Saturday 10 November, I rode down the hill behind the gate near the tower (by the overflow), it's quite a steep hill with two drops that go into a passing point on the lane which goes to the private residence and United Utilities area.

“I jumped off the first drop then hit the second drop, but as the lane and passing place came into view, there was a large barrier which I hit and crashed.

“I've ended up with a grade two collarbone fracture which means hospital treatment and time off work.

“You can't see these barriers until you come over the last drop and then it's too late: there's no signs saying obstruction.

“I've seen children riding down there and heard of other people having trouble there.”

Grant went on to say that a friend had hit the barrier as well and damaged his bike.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: “We’re sorry to hear about this incident, which happened at night, and we are looking into the circumstances.

“It would appear that the gentleman was not on a designated cycle path.”