Hedge cut after cyclist tragedy

11:48am Wednesday 14th May 2008

THE hedge that may have contributed to the death of a York schoolgirl last week has been trimmed to improve visibility.

Ruby Garland Milnes, 17, of Cromwell Road, in Bishophill, was cycling home from York College along the Sustrans cycle path at Bustardthorpe, near a tarmac road at the back of York Racecourse, when she was in a collision with a lorry at the junction.

An inquest into Ruby's death was opened on Monday by coroner Donald Coverdale who said that there was a large hedge at the side of the cycle track.

On The Press' website local cycling campaigner Paul Hepworth said he was "devastated to learn the outline circumstances of the tragedy".

He added: "I will fight for visibility and other improvements, to ensure that the majority of Sustrans path users here are properly protected from occasional motor vehicle movements across the route."

Yesterday morning, council workers were cutting the hedge down in size.

A spokeswoman for City of York Council confirmed talks were ongoing to see if further safety improvements could be made.

She said: "The council's road safety team is meeting with Sustrans next week to discuss what, if any, improvements can be made to the junction.

"The council has worked with the racecourse to carry out interim measures to improve visibility at the site prior to next week's meeting."

More tributes have been paid to Ruby on The Press' website.

One, written by Cat, said: "As one of Ruby's friends. I'm deeply upset.

"I only saw her a couple of days before the incident. Words can't explain what I'm feeling right now, I can't believe she's gone.

"Everyone from Millthorpe and college and others that knew her will know what a wonderful, beautiful person she was.

"She had so much love and time for people and would often cheer me up when I was down."

"My heart goes out to her parents and her brothers and sisters.

"I'll never forget Ruby. I once told her she was more colourful than a rainbow and she really was."

Anyone who saw the collision between the lorry and Ruby's bicycle last Thursday at 4.30pm should phone PC Lee Cobb on 0845 6060247.

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