Work to remove 'disaster' cycle lane to start soon

Mayor Chris Cooke says work to remove Linthorpe Road cycle lane will begin next month

Work to remove a much-derided cycle lane will begin next month, Middlesbrough's mayor has confirmed.

The Linthorpe Road route has faced a backlash since it was installed in 2022, with concerns over cyclists and pedestrians being injured, and businesses branding it a "disaster" due to it taking up parking space.

Mayor Chris Cooke said his pledge to remove the cycle lane, which cost £1.7m and was approved under his predecessor Andy Preston, would soon be fulfilled.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) is footing the bill of £2.17m to strip it out and work will begin on 26 August.

Last summer, the lane was dubbed "an absolute disaster" by the owner of Madame Rouge vintage pub and tearooms, with other traders reporting falling custom due to a shortage of parking and drop-off access.

Other concerns centred around several cyclists and pedestrians being injured while using the new layout, which was paid for using £1.7m of government funding, given to the council by the TVCA, aimed at encouraging active travel.

Preston, who served as mayor for four years as an Independent, now also backs the removal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The cycle lane cost £1.7m to create in 2022

Labour's Cooke said: "After listening to businesses and residents I pledged the cycle lane would go.

"We do want to encourage more people to cycle and walk, but future schemes have to be in the right place and learn the lessons from this saga."

Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Labour MP Andy McDonald has welcomed the news, as has Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen who said it was "about time".

"We can finally turn the page on this sorry chapter for Middlesbrough," the Conservative peer said.

"I said I'd sort it for the council and it's going.

"Let's get it ripped out and let local businesses get back to their lives."