Baffled Edinburgh cyclists say they have been left mystified by a giant metal pole in the centre of a new route near the city’s tram extension project.
Bike users travelling along the Western side of the bidirectional Leith Walk corridor are forced to briefly leave the cycleway and join the pavement to manoeuvre themselves round the streetlight placed directly in the middle of the lane.
Council bosses say the route, which forms part of the wider Trams to Newhaven project, is yet to officially open, adding the pole, which forms part of temporary overhead lighting, will be removed when the development is completed next year.
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However, cycling groups have called for more “joined up thinking” between the local authority and lane users over the next 12 months to ensure it remains blockage-free.
Ian Maxwell, from cycling advocacy group Spokes, added: “We are disappointed with the way that the design seems to be making some very obvious blunders, it’s just not sensible.
“The design of cycle routes is well established and we’re very surprised the people that are doing this haven’t followed suit.
“There does seem to be a way of thinking that is very much along the lines of a tram route taking precedence and everything else following.”
Mr Maxwell continued: “We are seeing a fundamental shift in the way people in Edinburgh travel. I’m optimistic about the future because there are some quite nicely designed spaces, but at times it still seems a bit hit and miss.”
The £207m project to take the line from its current terminus to Newhaven remains slated to open in the spring of 2023.
The latest phase of works saw the former end of the line at York Place demolished to make way for a connection between the old line and new Leith track at Picardy Place.
A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said signage had been erected to inform users of the lane that the project remained a work in progress.
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They added: “Temporary poles provide necessary street lighting during construction and will be removed once the route is complete, as has always been planned.
“Overhead line poles will provide light in the permanent scheme but they are one of the last things to go in as part of the construction programme.
“The cycle lane is not yet open as the scheme is still under construction, and there is clear signage to notify the public of this.”
