A Merseyside council has been slammed for removing a cycle lane which has been popular with locals since the lockdown.
The temporary cycle lane on Kings Parade, New Brighton, was installed in March to cater for increased demand as the weather improved, but yesterday Wirral Council got rid of it citing increased traffic and decreased cycling numbers as the weather begins to turn sour.
Ellis Palmer, a cyclist from Noctorum who used the lane, said: "To say I’m gutted that the temporary mobility lane is being removed in New Brighton is a massive understatement.
“This lane was a massive boost to my confidence when I started cycling as a disabled person and I’m really sad to see it go as I use it all the time.
“Over the last six months, it has become one of my favourite routes as it is one of the few accessible routes I can do by myself. Now that option has been taken away from me as the other passages in that area are not safe for me as a disabled cyclist.
" The virus will be with us for a long time and safe walking and cycling routes are vital for people’s physical and mental health throughout the colder months.”
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He added that while a shared space for pedestrians and cyclists exists alongside the former cycle lane, this surface is not ideal for bikes and will restrict use for those on adapted cycles.
It is understood that Wirral Council had safety concerns with the cycle lane, as measures including cones could become dangerous if the road surface deteriorates in the autumn and winter.
One suggestion was that cones could be blown out of position and endanger cyclists and other road users.
A spokesman told the ECHO that the council also failed to secure funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority which would have paid for the cones to be replaced, allowing the cycle lane to remain in place over the winter.
However, he said the authority is working on a masterplan for New Brighton, which it is hoped will improve cycling provision on Kings Parade.
Nevertheless, vice-chair of Cycling UK Janet Atherton agreed with Ellis. She said: "I don't understand the council's decision. I would expect the route to remain popular over winter given the sheer numbers of new people cycling in Wirral.
“The route has made it much safer for people walking and on bikes, and not caused traffic problems as far as I'm aware.
“It needs to be resurfaced and made permanent and it would be good to keep a temporary lane in place until it can be made permanent.”
Anger at the removal of the cycle lane was shared by councillors also.
Independent councillor Steve Hayes said the decision is a backwards step in the fight to protect the planet.
Cllr Hayes, who represents Birkenhead and Tranmere, said: “I'm guessing this decision means that Wirral Council's climate change measures will only be part-time within the year?
“We need to get away from a 'leaves on the track' excuse mentality and ensure safe services are provided all year round and ensure the mobility lane's usage and not just remove them when [it is] wet or cold."
Cllr Hayes, who recently quit the Green Party, added that lots of people are keen cyclists but do not get out on their bikes as much as they would like to because the roads are not safe.
At a time when the council is supposed to be encouraging cycling, he thought this move sent out the wrong message.
Frustration with the decision was shared by Wallasey councillor Ian Lewis.
While not saying whether he was in favour of the Kings Parade cycle lane, Cllr Lewis, the leader of the Tories in Wirral Council, slammed the authority for the way it has gone about the whole process.
He said: “Nobody was consulted about introducing this temporary lane on Kings Parade, or now, its removal. It seems the Town Hall has a complete aversion to asking residents for their views on cycle lanes.
“Perhaps they still think they know what is best. Maybe they don’t want to risk getting an answer they don’t want.
“Either way, those who are coming up with these schemes need to wake up and smell the coffee – the days of not involving residents in decision making are long gone.
“Leave your ivory towers and start listening to residents and taxpayers.”
