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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Austen Shakespeare

Council hears safety concerns about North Tyneside roundabout changes after cycle lanes added

Safety concerns have been raised after a roundabout in North Tyneside was given an overhaul to include cycle lanes.

North Tyneside Council officers have now met with a Conservative councillor who is seeking major changes to the Rake Lane and Billy Mill roundabout near Murton and New York.

The roundabout was redeveloped following a public consultation in the summer of 2021 to include cycle lanes. North Tyneside Council said the scheme would support and encourage cycling, walking, and active travel.

Read More: Delight as Whitley Bay bus routes saved from threat of cuts with minor alterations proposed

The scheme also intends to improve journey times for people who want to cycle to work.

However, Tory Collingwood councillor Olly Scargill argues residents are unhappy with the altered roundabout. Following a public meeting with residents last month Coun Scargill compiled a report detailing the worries.

Councillor Olly Scargill, at the controversial roundabout in New York, North Tyneside (Iain Buist / Newcastle Chronicle)

According to Coun Scargill, 108 residents attended the public meeting and a further 61 emailed him.

Coun Scargill said: "I would like to see the bollards [separating the cycle lane] removed. In actual Dutch-style roundabouts over in Holland, they don't use bollards, they use cement.

"The bollards are dirty, they lose their reflectivity and are not maintained well enough.

"There is a bypass going down to the Shell garage, that bypass has been narrowed by cycle paths and people are concerned about the safety of that."

Coun Scargill also said residents were also unhappy with the shape of the roundabout, with some residents dubbing it "the 50p". According to Coun Scargill's report, drivers expressed concerns about the "sharp corners at the entry and exit points" of the roundabout.

Coun Scargill's report said the majority polled at the public gathering preferred the roundabout how it was. He subsequently met with council officers to deliver his report.

John Sparkes, director of regeneration and economic development, said: “All roads in North Tyneside meet strict national safety standards and we always carry out wide-ranging consultations when making any significant changes to our highway network.

“The Council is committed to listening to our residents and sat down with local councillors this week to hear feedback following the Rake Lane meeting they held.

“This was a useful meeting, and we are looking into the feasibility of some of the feedback that was provided in line with the overall scheme, our highways network and strategy for the Borough to enable active and sustainable travel.”

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