Just upstream of the Woolwich Ferry in London lies Mast Pond Wharf, which lay derelict for about 30years, while blocking the much used Thames Path National trail for walkers and National Cycle Network Route One. Greenwich Cyclists group campaigned at length for a path through the site, because the only alternative was the busy A206 Woolwich Church Street. In 2001 Greenwich Council finally installed a fenced tarmac path, just in time for the much publicised Greenwich Mayor's first charity bike ride.

So far so good but in early 2004 a luxury flats developer closed the path through the site without warning and put up diversion signs. Greenwich Council seem to be surprised and embarrassed but did nothing, so the way was blocked for Mayor's rides, local residents, walkers and cyclists.

In February this year a member of Greenwich Council, and staff from the property developer, said a path opening of 5th March was achievable but when members of several London cycling groups, and a representative from the local press, turned up on 10th March the path was still closed. See photos and video (for the iPod and resizable in iTunes and Quicktime player).

It seems likely now that the path will be opened for the Mayor's ride on 25th March but will be closed again immediately after and then could remain closed for another three years.

In the words of one cyclist, "We've in effect been strung along by a Council that's lost its vision of an open riverside. It's been putting in bits of Thames Path through the borough for decades. Those bits east of Woolwich Arsenal were installed 30 years ago at huge and visionary expense. But now the Council doesn't seem to mind a bit about a crucial section in the middle of Woolwich."

The Mayor's cycle ride will take place on Sunday 25th March, starting from Cutty Sark Gardens in Greenwich at 11am.

 http://www.greenwichcyclists.org.uk/
 http://www.lewishamcyclists.net/
 http://www.southwarkcyclists.org.uk/