A CYCLING campaigner has slammed the removal of controversial cycle lanes in Corbridge as a “disappointing backward step”.

Ted Liddle, who is a right to ride representative for Cycling UK and chairman of the Tyne Valley MTB Cycling club, pushed for the installation of an uphill advisory cycle lane and the removal of the central white lines from a stretch of Newcastle Road.

So, when Northumberland County Council officials installed dual advisory lanes in November 2015, he welcomed their efforts to promote the road as a section of the Hadrian’s Cycleway.

But the scheme, which was introduced without local consultation, prompted a public backlash from drivers over road safety fears.

At the start of this year the council agreed to remove the entire length of the downhill westbound advisory cycle lane, while retaining the uphill eastbound cycle lane, and putting up extra signs.

Although no incidents have been recorded or reported during the trial, local concerns continued to be expressed over the potential for head-on collisions and near misses, particularly at bends in the road where forward visibility is restricted.

Now it has been agreed to remove the remaining cycle lane, reinstate the central white line in the road and make the double yellow line parking restrictions permanent.

Coun. Glen Sanderson, the council’s cabinet member for environment and local services, said the authority was committed to listening to residents, but added that cycling remained an important element of the council’s future plans.

Corbridge’s Coun. Nick Oliver said: “While this road forms part of a national cycle route, the trial only covered a few hundred yards and has been of local concern since day one.

“I regularly cycle and drive along this stretch myself and I understand and support the views of many local residents who have asked for the trial to end.

“There has been a lot of feedback from the community about a number of near misses and incidents where drivers have found themselves facing vehicles travelling towards them in the centre of the road.”

But Mr Liddle said: “Sadly, this sends out the message that drivers in Corbridge are only interested in themselves. I am really disappointed and, to me, this is a backward step for the safety of people cycling on that stretch of road.

“I praised the county council for installing the lanes, but also criticised them for the lack of consultation.

“Cycling is growing exponentially in popularity and we have to recognise that the main reasons for people not doing more of it is the volume and speed of traffic on the roads.”