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Wirral Council has confirmed the controversial cycle lanes on Fender Lane, Moreton, will finally be reviewed at a council meeting on 9 July.
The route, between Reeds Lane and the ‘Tesco’ roundabout at Bidston, has been blamed for traffic delays, including emergency vehicles, while being little used by cyclists.
The decision to implement the £204,000 scheme after just 21 people responded to the first consultation on the proposals. Since then, a further £8,000 has been spent to maintain the bollards.
Following complaints from local councillors and residents, the Town Hall agreed to a review of the route, following a Road Safety Audit in 2023 which identified eight failings on the route and an Equality Impact Assessment in 2021 that recognised journey times would increase.
In February 2023, the Town Hall appointed consultant Mott MacDonald to undertake the review, alongside a wider consultation of road users and residents on the scheme.
During the course of the assessment, vital data on how many people were using the cycle lanes was ‘lost’ while the final report, scheduled for January 2025, was delayed.
Councillors Colin Baldwin, Gary Bennett and Vida Wilson have been pressing for the consultation results to be published and the report submitted for a vote at the Council.
Councillor Vida Wilson (Conservative, Moreton West & Saughall Massie) said: “This route has been a failure from day one. The Town Hall never produced any evidence of demand before it was agreed and failed to consult adequately before it was installed. Had they made more people aware of the scheme then, I doubt it would ever have seen the light of day.
“Instead, it has caused nothing but aggravation to residents and road users, while delaying emergency vehicles and increasing pollution as cars are left idling waiting for traffic to flow at peak times.
“We know that 1,049 have taken part in the latest consultation. If the majority of the 1,049 want the cycle lanes removed, then that is what the Town Hall must do. No ifs, no buts. The Fender Cycle Lane has failed.
“Those who supported this colossal waste of taxpayers’ money have buried their heads in the sand for long enough. They told us that if they build it, then the cyclists will come. They haven’t. The cycle lanes are empty. The Town Hall needs to wake up and smell the coffee.”
The meeting of the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee takes place at Wallasey Town Hall on Wednesday 9 July, starting at 6pm. Residents can attend.
