EXCLUSIVE Is that this Britain’s most DANGEROUS cycle lane? New ‘deathtrap’ pavement that pits cyclists towards pedestrians sparks fury after warnings it ought to by no means have been constructed within the first place

A brand new cycle path has been branded a ‘deathtrap’ that pits cyclists towards pedestrians as a result of its sophisticated format and lack of sufficient signage. 

The cycle lane on Longport Highway in Canterbury, Kent, additionally switches sides and blocks off the doorway to an historic abbey, sparking fury from locals.

And, in accordance with the Nationwide Federation of the Blind (NFBUK), the route is so harmful they raised considerations over it a 12 months in the past – earlier than it had even been constructed.

A session in November 2022 discovered the designs have been ‘harmful, discriminatory and are a deathtrap for any blind or visually impaired pedestrian’, however the council nonetheless pressed forward with it anyway.

It added: ‘The designs deliver cyclists instantly into battle with any pedestrian utilizing the pavement and pedestrian crossing.

Pictured, an aerial view of the ‘complicated’ cycle lane which residents blast as ‘a waste of cash’

Specialists have warned the lane might pose a danger to people who find themselves blind or partially sighted

‘In addition they deliver any pedestrian into direct battle with the explosion of individuals now utilizing e-bikes, e-scooters, e-unicycles, e-cargo bikes and supply bikes, lots of that are unlawful and illegally modified, ridden at pace as a right in any respect for any pedestrians.’

Kent County Council stated the lane, which was designed in session with Energetic Journey England, would encourage new and fewer assured cyclists in addition to gradual automobiles down.

At present, the lane widths are stated to be short-term whereas building works happen. 

Nonetheless, locals are much less impressed by the brand new design, with many fearing it might trigger a probably life-threatening accident. 

Some hailed the cycle lane on Longport because the ‘finest in Britain’ however most condemned the bright-red path as ‘complicated’ and a ‘waste of cash’.

Peter And Manuela Schrummel From Munich stated the cycle lane was ‘complicated’ as there have been no indicators

‘It is an accident ready to occur,’ native businesswoman Christine Moore, 74, informed MailOnline.

‘Everybody who lives round right here is completely flummoxed by the factor.

‘The cycle lane goes proper as much as the doorway of St Augustine Abbey throughout the highway the place folks go together with their youngsters or to stroll their canines.

‘So, folks come out of the Abbey grounds and straight into the trail of a bicycle. It is ridiculous.’

Manufacturing unit employee Darius Luidokas discovered himself biking towards the oncoming visitors.

Darius, 47, informed MailOnline: ‘I do not know the place I’m meant to be biking.

‘I got here on to the right-hand aspect of the highway as a result of I need to flip proper up the highway a bit.’

German cyclists Marcus and Heike Naff additionally discovered themselves driving on the unsuitable aspect of the highway.

Marcus informed MailOnline: ‘It is so complicated. We had no thought which aspect of the highway we have been meant to be biking on. ‘There are not any indicators, nothing.’

Glazier Ken Beaton risked damage as he strolled down the center of the bike path along with his again to approaching cyclists.

Mr Beaton, 47, from Ramsgate, stated: ‘I had no thought I used to be strolling down a cycle lane. It is so complicated.’

The cycle lane goes proper as much as the doorway of St Augustine Abbey throughout the highway the place folks go together with their youngsters or to stroll their canines

Dutch holidaymakers Jan Dankbaar and Carnen Meckling additionally put themselves in peril by strolling within the cycle lane.

Jan informed MailOnline: ‘It’s totally complicated. We did not know the place to stroll. And it’s dare-devilish to cross over between the lanes!’

Cyclists Peter and Manuela Schrummel from Munich took up each the cycle path and pavement.

Peter stated: ‘To be sincere we did not know which lane we have been purported to take. It’s totally complicated as there are not any indicators.’

Pedestrian Allyson Konwinski, 61, condemned the entire challenge as a ‘waste of cash’.

Glazier Ken Beaton, 47, stated he ‘had no thought’ that he was strolling down the center of a cycle lane

Allyson, from Broadstairs who works in Canterbury, informed MailOnline:’ What the hell have they achieved?

‘It is a complete waste of cash. It takes over the pavement so there’s hardly wherever to stroll and takes half of the highway.’

Nonetheless, the bright-red cycle path was hailed because the ‘finest cycle lane’ in Britain by the Woerle household from Austria who’re visiting Canterbury on vacation.

Mum Elizabeth Woerle, 49, stated: ‘That is one of the best cycle lane we’ve discovered since we arrived in England.

‘More often than not it’s a must to share the highway with lorries and buses and automobiles – it is so harmful.

‘I do not perceive why there usually are not extra cycle lanes in Britain. You may have a lot flat land however you don’t appear to make use of it correctly.’

Native mom Laura Christy, 31, agreed, saying: ‘I prefer to experience my bike so I am in favour of getting extra cycle lanes in Canterbury however nobody is aware of the way it works as there are not any indicators.

Sarah Gayton for the Nationwide Federation of the Blind (NFBUK) informed Mail On-line: ‘This ridge sort of kerbing just isn’t adequate in an city avenue to inform an individual with little or no sight utilizing a information canine or an extended cane for navigation, whether or not they’re strolling on the pedestrian aspect of the road or not.

‘There are folks with problem studying which aspect of the road it’s secure for them to stroll on.’

‘The science says clearly that the standard vertical kerb may be detected as an edge to the pavement aspect by everybody, and by all information canines and lengthy cane customers offering it’s 60mm excessive.

She added: ‘The dropped kerb crossing pictured just isn’t but geared up with the pedestrian managed alerts, rotating button and pole-mounted sensors to carry the visitors at crimson till everyone is throughout, which go together with this normal color and form of tactile tiles that are laid to point out a blind or different disabled individual the place there may be such a managed crossin

‘The cycle lane runs behind the placement of the pedestrian crossing which is extraordinarily harmful because it cyclists or folks utilizing e-devices is not going to must cease at inexperienced man pedestrian crossing.’

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson stated: ‘The proposed cycle lane alongside Longport has been designed to encourage new and fewer assured cyclists into the realm while sustaining clear pedestrian routes.

‘The present lane widths and alignment are short-term whereas the development works happen.

‘The scheme has been designed – in session with Energetic Journey England – to gradual automobiles down by decreasing the carriageway widths, offering adequate house for 2 HGVs to move.

‘The ultimate lane widths can be accomplished as soon as the highway has been resurfaced that are deliberate to happen by November 2023.’