Wirral’s ‘most criticised’ cycle lane has been hit by further problems after it was revealed that vital data on how the lane was being used has been lost.
Fender Lane, connecting Hoylake Road, Moreton to the Bidston roundabout was selected by the council for ‘active travel’ but quickly led to protests from residents and other road users about delays and congestions caused by the imposition of cycle lanes on both sides of the busy dual carriageway.
In January 2021, a legally-required Equality Impact Assessment was carried out by the Council and recognised the disruption it would cause to road users stating ‘Journey times of all users will increase as a result of the introduction of a cycle lane/loss of one lane for vehicular traffic.’
In February 2023 and following the introduction of the scheme and the predicted delays, a petition of more than 1,000 names against the scheme was submitted by former Independent Councillor for Leasowe, Karl Greaney. No action was taken by the council in response.
Now, in a further twist and following further enquiries from councillors, the Town Hall has revealed that data on the numbers of vehicles and cyclists using the route has not been collected due to power failures. Two sensors had been attached to street lights as part of the £204,000 scheme but, following power failures, data has been lost.
Now, in response to continued complaints, the Town Hall has decided to employ a team of five consultants to assess the route and seek views via a public consultation.
Councillor Gary Bennett, who also works as a local taxi driver in Moreton, said:
“This cycle lane is a complete waste of money. Anyone who uses it will tell you that a cyclist is a rare sighting, while delays and tailbacks are adding to air and noise pollution.
“How convenient for supporters of this scheme that vital data has now been lost, meaning its success, or rather failure, can never be accurately assessed for ‘before and after’. To add insult to injury, the Council has now decided to consult residents only after it has been installed. If they’d asked before, it’s evident the response from Moreton residents would have been a massive ‘no’.”
“Along with Councillors Vida Wilson and Colin Baldwin, we have heard of numerous delays caused by congestion at either end.
“Cyclists have also told us that the route is unsafe as it doesn’t lead to any other cycle routes and forces riders into the paths of oncoming traffic.”
Councillors have again asked for confirmation of when the long-delayed public consultation will begin.
Notes:
- Equality Impact Assessment (FoI response): https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/active_travel_routes_and_equalit#incoming-2512314
- Email from Lead Commissioner for Transport & Technology: ‘Fender Lane and Harrison Drive have been monitored before and after the schemes have been implemented using sensors attached to street lighting columns, there are two sensors on Fender Lane and one on Harrison Drive. The data from the sensors on Fender Lane started monitoring from 23/11/20, for Harrison Drive the monitoring started from 27/7/21. The sensors collect data for traffic along with cyclists and pedestrians (on the footway). The sensors are part of a LCR wide monitoring system which is a relatively new way of collecting data, and there has unfortunately been some issues with the sensors losing power for some periods which has resulted in failure of data collection – this is currently being addressed.’
- Attached: Mott MacDonald proposal to review scheme – timelines now slipped and survey scheduled but not yet confirmed for July 2024
