OFFICIALS at Northumberland County Council deserve a “rap on the knuckles” for installing cycles lanes in Corbridge which have created a problem where there wasn’t one before, it has been claimed.

The village’s county councillor, Coun. Jean Fearon, was speaking as the latest twist in the long-running saga was debated by Corbridge Parish Council.

It came after county council staff installed double yellow lines in the village last week on the only remaining eastbound section of cycle lane on Newcastle Road, which has become a parking hot spot for motorists.

But the meeting heard that motorists had been undeterred and were now parking on the other side of the road, where the westbound section of cycle lane has already been removed in response to mounting pressure from the local community.

Confused drivers were first confronted with the 860-metre stretch of new road markings in November 2015, after 1.5m-wide cycle lanes were installed on both sides of the carriageway and the centre white line removed.

“I wish the county council had listened to the parish council and me from the beginning,” said Coun. Fearon.

“Newcastle Road didn’t have a problem before they put the cycle lanes in, apart from one or two speeders.

“They have made a complete mess and wasted a lot of money putting down cycle lanes that weren’t wanted or needed. They should admit their mistake and restore Newcastle Road to the peaceful road it was before.”

Coun. John Gelson agreed: “This is the problem with remote decisions being taken by people who have no local knowledge.”

But Coun. Marc Horn admitted he preferred it when both cycle lanes were in place as it generally confused drivers and made them slow down. “Burning one of the lanes off seems to have now confused the cyclists because I saw one the other day riding down the uphill cycle lane,” he said.

Chairman, Coun. Maurice Hodgson said: “We are where we are with this.

“The downhill lane has been burnt off the road and we all hope that will weather and look better in time.

“The double yellow lines on the other side are probably welcome and, as for the cars starting to park on the other side, we’ve been told that will be carefully monitored by the civil enforcement officers.”

A spokeswoman for Northumberland County Council said: “This busy road forms part of a very popular national cycle route and we put in the trial cycle lanes to warn motorists of its presence and to help slow traffic down.

“This further six-month trial period was agreed after listening to feedback from residents, the parish council and local county councillors, and after carrying out a road safety audit.

“Officers will be monitoring the trial, and we will also be liaising with Northumbria Police – particularly in relation to traffic that has been found to be breaking the 30mph speed restriction.”