Concern over cycle lane

PROPOSALS for a short section of cycle lane near the town centre in Ormskirk will set motorist against cyclist and not deliver the increase in cycling hoped for, says a ward councillor.

Councillor Adrian Owens (pictured) has worked with local residents and cyclists over the past four years, meeting with county council and borough council officers and the portfolio holder three times to try to ensure a complete cycle route between the town centre and Edge Hill is delivered.

Cllr Owens said: “Money was made available by Edge Hill ten years ago as a result of building on the campus for a cycle route from the town centre to Edge Hill.

“This project has the potential to address the speeding traffic issues on Ruff Lane with traffic calming and see a project that brings benefits to the whole community which is what many of us have been promoting.

Instead, in these latest plans, Ruff Lane from Knowsley Road to the University is completely ignored. “The route terminates abruptly. Officers say the project is to be phased but there is no vision for the Ruff Lane phase of the project and no certainty that funds will be available.

“People will not be encouraged to get on two wheels by a partial route when gaps at either end and especially with the daily dangers to cyclists from speeding vehicles on Ruff Lane.”

Councillor Owens concluded: “This partial project risks delivering the sort of ‘cycle lane to nowhere’ seen elsewhere that doesn’t get used; doesn’t increase cycling; and sets motorist against cyclist in a most unhelpful way.”