Residents want 'dangerous' new cycle lane changed

Alice Reeve said the cycle path makes access to her property difficult

Residents living near a new cycle path say they fear it poses a road hazard and are calling for access to their drives to be widened.

The path has been constructed on the A435 Evesham Road to link Bishop's Cleeve to Stroud, Cheltenham and Gloucester.

"You have to cross a footpath, then you get into the cycle lane, and because the road is so busy you have to take a sharp turn not to hit oncoming traffic," said Alice Reeve.

Gloucestershire County Council said the segregated cycle path had been built in line with national highway design standards.

Ms Reeve said she fears it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

Drivers turning left are forced into the opposite lane because of the tight angle of the road.

"Cyclists can come over the brow of the hill quite quickly, and as the road is busy you can be stuck there for quite a long time," she said.

Local councillor Julian Tooke said many of Ms Reeve's neighbours had similar concerns.

"Lots of residents have written to me to tell me that turnings on and off Evesham Road are dangerously sharp since the installation of the cycle lane," he said.

The new cycle path is part of a 26 mile (42km) route linking towns in Gloucestershire

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said: "The new cycle route is part of the 26-mile walking and cycling route we're building across the county, which is a fantastic resource for residents and the community and will encourage active travel and reduce carbon emissions.

"We are confident that there is ample visibility from the driveway when exiting or entering to see pedestrians and oncoming cyclists, but of course all drivers are still expected to be suitably careful of all road users when accessing their property.

"The design has been independently reviewed by a road safety team, including the police, twice prior to the build."