NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE
Cyclists lead complaints to council over new bike lanes
Cambuslang’s controversial new bike lanes have been branded “not fit for purpose” – by cyclists.
The Reformer has been inundated with complaints about the new road layout on the Main Street and Hamilton Road since it was created in April.
Drivers say the road markings are confusing and cause congestion. Local businesses have also complained they have affected passing trade.
But the latest complaints are perhaps the most ironic, with those the lanes are designed for saying they will not keep them safe.
One local cyclist, Andy Dixon said: “They are poorly designed and very poorly implemented.”
Cambuslang Community Council have also criticised the design while Rutherglen Community Council raised concerns that something similar could be implemented in the Burgh at their last meeting.
This week, South Lanarkshire Council said they would carry out more work to address “teething issues”.
More work will be done to address ‘teething problems’ with Cambuslang’s new cycle lanes, South Lanarkshire Council has said, as a local cyclist brands the green network “not fit for purpose”.
The cycle lanes have been blamed for creating large queues of traffic in the town, discouraging passing trade for businesses and have, since opening last month, fallen victim to flooding.
But South Lanarkshire Council has said road markings will be made clearer on Main Street and new traffic light signalling will reduce congestion.
Andy Dixon of Gilbertfield Road, Cambuslang, cycles to work daily but believes pedestrians are in more danger than ever before.
He said: “I have been cycling on the roads for 10 to 12 years and it’s not just dangerous for cyclists, it’s dangerous for pedestrians.
“It’s very narrow for a shared path if you are going westbound. They are not fit for purpose.
“And the council are forcing cyclists to go through Main Street which is dangerous. There isn’t enough room for cyclists and cars.”
He added: “They are poorly designed and very poorly implemented. The westbound redevelopment has just made matters worse for pedestrians and cyclists alike and changed a road layout that allowed room for all and, on the whole, worked very well prior to the upgrade.”
Cambuslang Community Council has meanwhile slammed the local authority for failing to consult residents on the cycle network.
John Bachtler, treasurer of the community council, said: “While members welcome investment in improving the provision for cyclists, this needs to be planned in a way that takes account of the views of the community and meets the needs of all road-users.
“In this case, there does not appear to have been any consultation, certainly not with Cambuslang Community Council or with the CamGlen Bike Town project - which has an infrastructure sub-group that was specifically set up to discuss road improvements for cyclists with the council and avoid this kind of situation occurring.
“The lack of consultation with the community in Cambuslang is setting motorists against cyclists which is completely unhelpful. Even some cyclists are critical of the new arrangements.”
Gordon Mackay, head of roads and transportation at South Lanarkshire Council, said the local authority was contributing to Scottish Government targets which aim to see 10 per cent of everyday journeys undertaken by bike by 2020.
He said: “If such ambitions are to be achieved it is important that appropriate infrastructure is provided to accommodate cyclists. In some cases this requires the allocation of appropriate road space.
“The new layouts have been designed in discussion with Sustrans Scotland and in line with National Design Standards which have been proven to be successful in other parts of the country.
“The council has received feedback, both positive and negative, and all views will be considered. However, it is important that new schemes are allowed to bed in and any teething issues resolved before conclusions are drawn.
“Works are currently nearing completion and we will continue to monitor junction capacity and how people are using the altered layout.
“Traffic signal timings are being adjusted as necessary and some alterations to road markings and drainage are also programmed.”