BRADFORD Council currently has no plans to remove temporary cycle lanes on Wakefield Road that one Councillor has dubbed “the worst of all worlds.”

The divisive cycle lanes, which were installed over the Covid-19 lockdown, were discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council at a meeting on Tuesday.

Green Councillor Matt Edwards (Tong) had asked what the short term and long-term future was for the lanes – which replace a lane of motor traffic either side of Wakefield Road.

He claims damaged bollards and surfaces littered with debris put many cyclists off from using the lanes, and the lanes act as “an awful first impression” of Bradford.

He was told that while there was no plan to remove the measures at present, major city centre infrastructure projects, including the pedestrianisation of Hall Ings, could see the lanes reviewed in future.

And members heard the Council intended to repair the many damaged bollards separating cyclists from motor vehicles.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Damaged bollards on the Wakefield Road cycle laneDamaged bollards on the Wakefield Road cycle lane (Image: newsquest)

The lanes have been criticised by many since they were installed.

Zahid Ahmed wrote to the Telegraph & Argus this week, saying: “The cycle way is incomplete and unsafe and leaving cyclists and motorists at risk.

“The temporary barriers being in place as permanent fixtures is against highway specification and unsafe.”

However, the lanes do have their supporters.

Referring to criticism, Ted Baxter wrote in defence of the measures, saying: “The cycle-lanes, like any new infrastructure, have slowly gained more users. 

“When I use Wakefield Road as a pedestrian rather than a cyclist it is more pleasant and feels safer to have the cars further away due to the cycle lane.”

Installed in 2020, the measures cost £80,000 – paid for by the Government in a push to allow more people to maintain social distancing while commuting.

Last year West Yorkshire Combined Authority announced that more permanent cycle lanes would be created on Wakefield Road as part of a raft of highways schemes across the region. However, no date has been set for this work.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Temporary barriers on Wakefield RoadTemporary barriers on Wakefield Road (Image: newsquest)

Responding to Cllr Edwards’ question on Tuesday, the Council replied: “The active travel measures on Wakefield Road were introduced as part of Active and Sustainable Travel funding from Government during lockdown to encourage greater use of active travel as use of public transport reduced due to social distancing.

“As traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels the need for measures on Wakefield Road has been reviewed both within the context of the current road network and future upgrades planned in this area of the District.

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“In the immediate term there are no plans to remove the measures which remain on Wakefield Road, however when work on the Transforming Cities Fund projects commences later this year the extent of active travel measures will be reviewed to address how traffic movements will change during construction.

“Repairs to damaged posts will take place as well.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: One of the cycle lanes on Wakefield RoadOne of the cycle lanes on Wakefield Road (Image: newsquest)

On the long term future of the lanes, the Council added: “Funding for Wakefield Road to become a Sustainable Transport Corridor has already been secured via the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the Council will be working with its West Yorkshire Combined Authority colleagues to bring forward proposals at the earliest possible opportunity.

“These plans will include measures for bus and cycle priority measures.”

Cllr Edwards then asked what would be done to secure the “temporary” measures, pointing out that barriers often became loose and ended up “strewn across the highway.”

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Highways said: “We have put aside some funding to bring the lanes back up to standard.”

Referring to the funding awarded to WYCA, he added: “That will look to create bus and cycle priorities. That funding was only announced the back end of last year, so we still need to get the time scales in place.”

After the meeting Cllr Edwards said: “This is an issue I raised multiple times since being elected in 2021 and I’m glad that Councillor Ross-Shaw has finally given more information about the long term plans for Wakefield Road. But we are still no clearer on when this will all happen.

“The current set up is really the worst of all worlds – the amount of dirt and debris on the cycle lane means many cyclists are choosing not to use it and the barriers as you come down into the City Centre just aren’t good enough.

“It gives an awful first impression as you come into the city.”