Edale man says ‘we’re not just being grumpy’ complaining about visiting cyclists

John Gould says groups of between two to three cyclists are gathering outside Spar shops in Hope and Hathersage on a daily basis with coffee and sandwiches while out riding.

Industrial pharmacist John told how despite reports in the media that villagers were harbouring a vendetta against them elderly residents were ‘genuinely concerned’ that riders were putting their lives at risk.

Sixty-two-year-old John told how residents in both villages trying to stay two metres away from other shoppers while queuing were being thwarted by cyclists standing outside shops eating.

He said: “People from Hope Valley are trying to stay home but they’re seeing cyclists from Sheffield outside shops while they’re queuing and it’s causing a problem.

“This is hardly fulfilling the spirit of staying at home and not spreading the virus as this is where villagers fear Covid-19 virus may be spread.

“Normally local shops serve local people but with cyclists they are serving people from areas where they are far more likely to be infected - and it’s not really an essential journey to have lunch at the Spar in Hope.”

John said he had to ask cyclists to move away from shop entrances on two separate occasions so he could enter safely.

He told how the wall nearby to the Hathersage Spar shop – part of a garage forecourt – provided a perfect picnic spot where riders often sat to eat.

While elderly and vulnerable residents in Edale were competing with day-trippers for places in a public seating area.

He said: “This is not just us being bad-tempered - residents are being put in danger and there are real concerns that visitors are bringing the virus in.

“We have a lot of space here and we’re in a privileged position but this area is like an old people’s home.

“The proportion of vulnerable people in these villages is really high - this is not just about us being grumpy.”

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