New road layout 'puts all of us in danger' – cyclists

CYCLISTS have hit out at road changes in West Bridgford which, they claim, make the streets more dangerous.

Nottingham campaign group Pedals has written to Notts County Council leader Kay Cutts complaining that the measures were introduced without consultation.

They are worried that newly restored traffic lanes between the Melton Road and the Musters Road/Rectory Road junctions mean cycle lanes are no longer clearly marked and cyclists have much less space.

"We are extremely concerned about the road safety implications for all road users," said Hugh McClintock, of Pedals.

"Cyclists used to get a good 30-40-foot clear run-up to the red painted box area in order to attempt the tricky junction, but now this has been truncated down to about two feet."

The original layout was introduced as part of a 2005 scheme to encourage people to cycle. But, over the weekend of April 16-17, the road was restored to three lanes.

"The new narrow lanes mean cyclists are once again substantially more at risk in positioning themselves between the lanes towards West Bridgford town centre, a manoeuvre particularly tricky for those less confident who most need to be encouraged," Mr McClintock said.

Pedals is concerned that drivers heading towards Trent Bridge cricket ground will be tempted to accelerate after the traffic lights, making it more dangerous for pedestrians crossing Musters Road.

"What concerns me further is the lack of consultation with Pedals, since we were part of the initial scheme six years ago", he added.

County councillor Richard Jackson, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: "The collision records for this junction show that both the previous and new layout operate relatively safely for cyclists."

"The previous layout reduced the capacity of the junction and significantly increased delays for traffic at peak times.

"The changes to the junction should benefit thousands of drivers and nearby residents whose road will now be less congested."

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