The end of the road for unpopular cycle lane

THE end is in sight for the saga that is the Linthorpe Road Cycle Lane.

- By DANIEL HODGSON Local democracy reporter

It’s been a source of controversy ever since its installation by Middlesbrough Council with anger from businesses along the route and complaints from injured pedestrians who have tripped over its ridged markers. The mayors of both Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley made its removal an election pledge in recent election cycles.

As a date for ripping it out was finally announced for Tuesday, August 26, earlier this week, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited entrepreneurs along its stretch, and also spoke to shoppers.

The vast majority can’t wait to see the back of it - with one notable exception from a guy who says now it's in situ he’d rather leave it and see the cash for its removal spent elsewhere.

'No-one uses it'

Owner of Linthorpe Road’s HK News, 24-year-old Khan, said he’s taken a blow to his shop's trade since the cycle lane was built. He also noted that cyclists tend to ride on the pavement rather than the cycle lane anyway.

The businessman also revealed that he himself had fallen over it twice and has seen multiple people fall over the ridged markers.