Three councillors are calling for a review of a cycle lane on a busy Wirral road after more than 1,000 people signed petitions against it.
The cycle lane on Fender Lane which crosses the motorway connecting Moreton and Bidston has been controversial since it was put in in March 2022. The funding for the scheme came through the government’s Department for Transport.
Those against the cycle lane say it is causing congestion problems as well as issues at junctions while those in favour say it provides an important, safe cycling link between east and west Wirral.
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Cllr Karl Greaney, a councillor for Leasowe and Moreton East, along with councillors Max Booth and Steve Williams who represent Moreton West and Saughall Massie are asking Wirral to review the lane.
Cllr Greaney said: “It’s further congestion in an already over-congested area and is making it worse for a handful of people who don’t use it.” He said at one junction with Fendale Avenue people can’t get out, calling it “an accident waiting to happen.”
In response to concerns around congestion at the time, Wirral Council said traffic modelling carried out shows "the junctions at either end will be operating within capacity" and there would be "no notable change in average delays across the highway network, local to Fender Lane."
Not everyone is against the cycle lane as it is. Edward Lamb has set up a petition in support of the cycle lane which now has nearly 500 signatures.
Mr Lamb said: “I have never seen serious congestion. There is no congestion and there are no issues with emergency vehicles so why do you want to get rid of it? If you rip it up but are just going to put it back in eventually, it’s just a waste of public money really.
“I can see the pressure officers are under on this but it would just be really disappointing to see councillors ripping it out.”
Mr Lamb added: “It’s really important we get a cohesive network across the Wirral” saying this was important for the safety of all road users.
Between 2017 and 2021, eight crashes were recorded along Fender Lane with four being serious according to Crash Map data. In 2021, there were four crashes though none were fatal.
Cllr Williams said he believes in principle the cycle lane is “a good idea” but said the issue “is the way it’s running. Hopefully there’ll be a good solution that’ll satisfy the motorists and the cyclists."
Councillors said the main issue was minimal consultation with residents before the lane was put in and even they were unaware of the plans.
Cllr Booth said: “This is the message we are trying to convey, it’s not a campaign against cycling or cycling infrastructure. I went mountain biking last week in Wales. I love cycling. It’s practicality and where they plonk them. You can’t just carpet bomb the Wirral with cycle lanes and not have proper consultation and to assess the practicality.
“That’s the issue. It was the lack of consultation.”
Wirral Council consulted with ward councillors, emergency services as well as councillors on the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee. Initially the public was not consulted which was raised as a concern by councillors.
In March 2021, Wirral Council said it sought feedback from the public, landowners and businesses and received 13 objections as well as eight people in support. After consultation with two council committees, it was approved by council officers in February 2022.
The paper and online petitions collected by the councillors will be submitted to Wirral Council.
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