Both cyclists and motorists blast sub-standard cycle lanes as 'pointless’ and ‘downright dangerous’

The cycle lanes on Corn Street in Witney are 1.3 metres in width.

A number of design guides recommend 2 metres and 1.5 metres as an absolute minimum in width.

Now cyclists say it simply isn’t sufficient to draw a white stripe on the road with a bicycle sign inside it and assume that’s the end of the matter.

Kath Cochrane, founder of Windrush Bike Project, said: "They don't protect people riding bikes and they confuse people driving cars. Cycle infrastructure should be for all ages and abilities. The new 20mph speed limit, which is good for pedestrians and cyclists, should be more visible to drivers as well."

Motorist and cyclist John Wright wrote on Facebook: "They are not fit for purpose, and actually make the road more dangerous. Get rid of them, NOW."

Others like former Conservative county councillor and County Cycling Champion Suzanne Bartington added: "They are actively unsafe - and have no evidence to support them - a real waste of public funds."

Robert Haydon added: "Corn Street is a narrow market town road with cars parked both sides and its my view that cycle lanes should not be used along side parked cars, I cannot see any aspect on Corn Street that is safe for cycle lanes."

The issue was raised at a town meeting at Witney Town Council in July.

It was confirmed that feedback and questions had been passed on by the Town Council at the consultation stage for this project, which was part of an active travel package delivered by Oxfordshire County Council.

But there had been a short time frame on consultation due to time constraints in spending the allocated funds and the result was narrower, and not necessarily safer, lanes.

Oxfordshire County Council has now said the lanes are a temporary trial and will be reviewed in conjunction with future improvements to Corn Street.

The council said the width of 1.3 metres was agreed through consultation with Oxfordshire County Council’s Road Safety Team and was thought to be suitable to provide space for cyclists whilst accommodating general two-way traffic.

It added that the road has a 20mph speed limit and traffic flows are relatively low.

A spokesperson said: "Several other additional measures have been introduced as part of the trial to provide a safer space for cyclists.

"These include removing the centre line road marking, a 500mm buffer zone between the parking bays and adjacent cycle lanes in Corn Street, and cycle symbols laid across the mouth of each side road junction."

Oxfordshire County Council has applied for funding from the Government’s Capability and Ambition Fund to develop plans for a permanent long-term scheme for Corn Street.

This bid has only recently being submitted and the outcome of that is not yet known.

A spokesperson added: "In addition to this, the forthcoming Witney Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), due for consultation later in 2022, and the forthcoming Witney Area Travel Plan due 2023/24, will help develop a safe cycle network for Witney."

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