Pop-up cycle lanes are disappearing before they have even been installed — as the government and Isle of Wight Council do a U-turn on plans.
Residents and businesses in Cowes and Newport have been fighting against 6 schemes for pop-up cycle lanes and associated road layout changes that were due to be installed next week, and have got a result.
One scheme in Little London, Newport, would see no vehicles allowed on the road passing The Bargeman’s Rest — with fears from the owners of the pub it would shut down their business, as only those on bikes would be able to pass.
A number of businesses in nearby Holyrood Street have also raised concerns about the implementation of a one-way system there, as well as the removal of even more parking spaces.
Another in Cowes, on Beckford Road, would see parking moved to the other side of the road, a one-way system introduced and a cycle lane going in the opposite direction. Residents of Beckford Road have been writing to the Isle of Wight Council and lobbying local councillors to stop the installation due to health fears —as they sayexhaust fumes could go directly into basement windows with the changes.
Now, however, it is believed the schemes have been dropped and the Isle of Wight Council is halting the proposals, funded by an emergency active travel grant from the government in light of Covid-19.
Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport for the council, Cllr Ian Ward, confirmed the measures have been stopped after the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps ‘changed his mind.’
Over the weekend, Mr Shapps wrote in The Telegraph, claiming local authorities were ‘abusing’ the money and now the ’emergency had passed’ there was more time to consult residents.
Cllr Ward said:
“What a lot of people don’t understand is these [schemes] were emergency Covid measures, directed by the government — all schemes were approved by the Department for Transport (DfT), so these were the ones we had to do.
“We were told this was an emergency, with no time for consultation — which is what a lot of people are up in arms about — just go ahead and get it done. At the weekend [Mr Shapps] changed his mind and stopped them all so that is why we stopped.
“We will review them all — some we may drop completely, some we may do in a modified form. There are other options that are probably more acceptable to the public but they were only ever temporary measures.”
With all the
bradley Wigginswannabees hurtling around the island lanes and major routes there’s going to be a death or two soon. the Downs road is NOT a safe cycle route.But………..The entire Downs route from Brading to the Hairy Hound could have a cycle and horse path constructed over it with little work, as the chalk base would need little work to provide a viable surface. (NB Part of a longer post but Echo won’t publish such)
Even if you built cycle paths and they were smooth as an Olympic velodrome or paved in gold the lycra clad wiggins wannabe roadies would still cycle on the road so it would be pointless anyway
Well Steve, you can ‘lead a Horse to water…etc’
Be nice though to have a safe, peaceful side track for those cyclists who are not just ‘look at me’ types, such as families as not all wish to have the rear end on display to motorists.
It could be a great tourist attraction if joined to path over St Georges etc. Needs a route from Ryde up to the Downs, as once Pen Feath et al filled, roads will be intolerable for cyclist leaving Ryde.
What, common sense kicked in for once. But for how long?
Same old puppet council, bowing and scraping to central government. The only reason they wanted to implement the changes was because the treasury were paying for it. If local councils had to fund the changes, they wouldn’t have even considered it. Now the money’s gone, they will probably claim they never much liked the idea in the first place.
Bunch of a**e kissers, the whole lot of ’em.
What a load of twaddle, does Ian Ward seriously think that removing a few bollards and parking spaces will help prevent the spread of covid-19 it makes you wonder what planet he is on.
“Abusing the money”, how very dare you, the IWCC abusing public money?, No way, honest Dave and his mates wouldn’t do that, would they?
Between Newport and cowls but still they use the road pointless putting a cycle path in
At least the pub won’t have to shut because someone took away a few parking spaces.
So now the council will be saving money by not putting the lanes in perhaps they can now not charge residents for parking during the winter months along the fronts . Or are we just the poor motorists being hit again .
Get a bike and no more parking charges ever!
I can hardly believe common sense has actually won one
Let’s see if they use common sense and spend the money fixing the floating bridge properly for a change
“What a lot of people don’t understand is these [schemes] were emergency Covid measures, directed by the government”
Really? You could not say no? Or like all councils you were only too keen to have a swipe at motorists. Why do you not grow a backbone and do what is right for the people who pay for you.
Common sense ! ! !
When have they shown common sense?
I wouldn’t be surprise to read that in the future they will be going ahead anyway.