Lane keeps us all on track
DOCTORS CALL FOR CYCLE PATH TO STAY
DOZENS of local doctors and other NHS staff have urged North Tyneside Council to save a temporary coastal cycle lane.
The Government-funded cycle lane from Tynemouth to Whitley Bay was introduced earlier in the summer – along with a one-way system for traffic – to encourage social distancing and healthy travel during the pandemic.
But the council has since confirmed it will be removed after the October half term.
A group of 28 local NHS doctors and 9 other health professionals have signed a letter calling for the lanes not to be scrapped.
They say that cycle way is helping to tackle obesity, poor air quality and climate change.
The letter said: “By encouraging exercise and non-polluting forms of transport, the cycle-way saves lives and reduces pressure on the National Health Service. It must survive beyond the epidemic. Any decision to rip up the cycle lane at this stage would be a wholly unjustified and retrograde step.”
They point out that official government advice during the coronavirus pandemic is to walk or cycle where possible and to avoid busy times on public transport.
Sian Williams, a GP who lives in Whitley Bay, said removing the cycleway would be a “disgrace”.
She added: “I live right by the cycleway and have seen for myself the increased numbers of all kinds of cyclists and the massive benefits for pedestrians too, with calmer traffic along the very popular stretch of sea front.
“Better air quality saves lives, more exercise saves lives.”
The temporary scheme has proved popular with up to 1,500 daily cycling
trips at the peak during the summer.
However, the number is now dropping on most days as autumn and the cold winter months set in.
The council previously stated that current weekend usage is down 64% compared to the opening weekend, and average weekly use has dropped by 43%.
It also says the pressure on space along the seafront has reduced and the temporary scheme has served its purpose.
However, it is now seeking future funding for a revised, permanent coastal cycle lane scheme that provides separate space for cyclists while maintaining a two-way route along the seafront.
The authority has also placed a bid for phase two of the Emergency Active Travel Fund, which if successful would deliver up to 8.5km of segregated cycle routes throughout the borough.
John Sparkes, Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, added:
“We know cycling has a number of benefits for health and the environment and it’s been great to see that the pop-up cycle lane was very well-used by cyclists of all ages at the height of summer. The number of cyclists using it is now falling as we head into winter and we expect this decline to continue with fewer daylight hours and colder temperatures, and the number of people out walking is also reducing. There are also some coastal operations which require access to the seafront, who have been impacted by the measures, and their acceptance of the scheme was on condition of it being temporary.
“We recognise that there are those who want it to remain in place but there are also others who would rather it was removed. It is a balancing act and we are keen to deliver a permanent segregated cycle lane scheme that allows a two-way traffic route along the seafront, and addresses the feedback received from all users, and we are seeking funding for this.”