CHRIS HUTTTributes were paid to cycling campaigner Chris Hutt, who was key in bringing about the Bristol to Bath Railway Path.Mr Hutt was found dead in his home on 20 March, 2010, aged 59. He lived in Clifton, Bristol, and is understood to have died peacefully in his armchair.The passionate campaigner, who also worked as a plumber, was prolific in bringing about changes in transport in Bristol in the 1980s and 90s and also wrote the Green Bristol Blog.Describing himself as a "grumpy old man", Mr Hutt worked to find the greenest ways of getting around Bristol and said he was disillusioned with the relentless rise in car dependency.He was also a member of Bristol Cycling Campaign and Bristol Living Streets.It is believed Mr Hutt suffered with heart problems but continued to cycle around the city and fight for his beliefs.John Grimshaw, founder and former chief executive of sustainable transport charity Sustrans said: "I have lost a colleague of so many years, the best of route devisers and cycling companion, and a friend indeed."He was secretary of Cyclebag in the early 80s and the group promoted and built parts of the Railway Path. He really was the best person in Britain for designing and sorting out cycle routes."It is a terrible loss, he was a loyal and great citizen of Bristol. He was also the best plumber in the west. He plumbed in the four fountains on the route and when the fountain on Castle Green was first installed he plumbed it so red wine came out of one side and orange out of another."He added that he hoped his fight to keep buses off the Railway Path and his latest campaign for a riverside route to Hanham would form part of his legacy.Glenn Vowles, parliamentary candidate for Bristol East, said: "We've lost a great green campaigner with a distinctive libertarian perspective and a very committed, independent- minded and persistent character."I first met Chris over 20 years ago and I've worked with him a lot recently on cycling and green spaces issues. I know just how strongly he felt about excellent achievements like the Bristol to Bath Railway Path."Other transport groups also added their personal tributes to Mr Hutt.A spokesperson for transport blog Bristol Traffic said: "Chris was not only prepared to argue the technical details of bike/pedestrian paths and crossings, he understood that a junction or stretch of bike lane is meaningless on its own – and that for Bristol to be a city you could live in without needing to drive, everything needed to join up, so you could walk or pedal around the city."We shall miss Chris, but we shall also remember him. Everyone who walks or cycles the Railway Path is benefiting from the work he and others put in to building that path, and it exists as a wonderful memorial to everyone who wanted to change our city, to make it a better place."Councillor Jon Rogers, Bristol City Council's transport chief said: "Chris was an exceptional man. He has been involved in promoting a greener more sustainable lifestyle in Bristol for many years."He was very much involved in the early days of the Bristol to Bath railway path and worked with Sustrans and other partners to see it delivered to the success it is today."He was passionate about cycling and determined Cycling City delivered its true potential in Bristol. I met and corresponded with him on many occasions over the last few years and came to know him and admire him a great deal."http://www.thi sisbristol.co. uk/homepage/Tributes -Bristol- cycling-campaigner-d ead-home/ article-1931446-deta il/ article.html [thisisbristol.co.uk ]
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