Glasgow City Council are facing compensation claims after two pedestrians tripped and fell over a 'dangerous' cycle lane feature.
The cycle lane in the city's Howard Street is currently lined with small bumps called Orcas but fuming pedestrians are calling for them to be removed after tripping and breaking bones.
Two victims are currently pursuing an injury claim through Thompsons Solicitors and have hit out at the local council for installing them in the first place.
Stephen Cameron, 61, was crossing the road when he came tumbling down as he never noticed the Orcas that "blended into the road".
He had to attend the A&E at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on May 6, 2021, after the accident left him with a broken elbow.
Stephen, who works for a boiler repair company, said: "I was crossing the road after going to the Tesco's at St Enoch square and it was quite drizzly outside.
"I stepped off the pavement and I stepped onto one of the Orcas. I went up in the air and I remember I kind of blacked out.
"I felt my glasses hit my nose and the next thing I know I was on the ground. I fell onto my left side and my left arm was very sore."
He added: "My elbow was actually shattered but there was no open wound because I had a thick jacket on.
"I had to get a cast put on and Isuffered a bit of nerve damage. For a while, I couldn't feel the left side of my left hand.
"These bumps are not safe and they should be removed."
One other victim had to spend two days in hospital after her own horror fall over the Orcas just one month after Stephen on June 12, 2021.
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, was unable to drive or complete daily tasks for around three months after breaking her right wrist as she had to have surgery.
Speaking to the Record, she said: "I was crossing the road and looking both ways - not looking down as you don't think something is going to trip you up.
"I tripped over the Orcas and ended up in the middle of the road but thankfully there was nothing coming.
"I looked down and I knew my wrist was broken. It was my right hand and I'm right handed.
"I had to be sedated while they snapped it back into place. Then I had to have surgery to have a titanium plate and pins put in.
"It was about eight or nine weeks before I could actually do anything with it and it was really painful to start using it again.
"I couldn't use the car until the end of that August.
"Where I fell is a very, very narrow street and people are falling all the time.
"The orcas need to be removed without a doubt. They are a danger."
Joel Shaw, a senior lawyer with Thompsons solicitors, is handling the case. He said: “These so called Orcas are causing havoc and catastrophic injuries with pedestrians across Scotland and the cases I’m handling are just the tip of the iceberg.
"It's ironic that a measure brought in to protect road users is actually causing harm.
"Glasgow City Council and local authorities all over the country need to radically rethink their use and be up front about the dangers.
"Until now Glasgow City Council have thumbed their nose at my clients and the wider safety concerns.
"This has to change.”
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: “Claims have been received in relation to incidents in Howard St and these will be processed in the proper manner.
“It would be inappropriate to comment on specific cases, but all of our cycling infrastructure is subject to a rigorous safety audit process that includes assessments during both day and night time hours.
“All infrastructure must be completed to the satisfaction of an independent engineering consultant and a road safety expert from the police, who are directly involved in the audit process.
“All materials used meet approved, national standards.”
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