AN altercation in a pedestrian underpass in Hereford has led to a one-woman campaign to stop cyclists riding in them.

Retired psychiatric nurse Carol Williams wants the law to be enforced and for the no cycling signs in underpasses to be made clearer.

It follows an incident in the pedestrian underpass linking Eign Gate to Eign Street in which the 61-year-old became involved in a heated row with a young male cyclist.

Miss Williams said she was walking from the Eign Gate end when the rider came round the bend in the opposite direction at a fast speed.

It caused other people, including a woman with children to dodge out of the way.

"But I stood my ground and he was forced to stop. I asked him if he knew he should not be cycling in the underpass and he became abusive, using the 'f' word," she said.

There was an argument and Miss Williams admitted becoming angry and giving the cyclist a push against the wall.

She claims he threatened to push a handlebar in her face and became more abusive.

He then said he would report her and she responded with a similar threat before he rode off, still using the 'f' word.

Miss Williams, who lives at Credenhill and is retired after 28 years as a psychiatric nurse, said she had no objection to cyclists using the underpasses as long as they pushed their machines and walked.

She described the one linking Eign Gate and Eign Street as a main thoroughfare for pedestrians who should not have to face the danger of mixing with cyclists.

"As people get older they can not dodge out of way so quickly and it's also difficult for mothers with young children," she said.

Miss Williams said she had seen many instances of cyclists using the underpasses but realised that it was a difficult situation for police because culprits could make a quick getaway.

She also believed the signs indicating no cycling could be made clearer.