Merseyside cyclists could be forced to 'risk their lives' as Wirral Council explores temporarily removing a cycle lane installed just four years ago. The £204,500 cycle lane on Fender Lane, connecting Leasowe and Bidston, was introduced in 2022 using government grants. It reduced the busy road from a dual carriageway to one lane in each direction.
Council Considers Temporary Removal
A Wirral Council spokesperson confirmed that "highways officers are looking into the feasibility of temporarily de-commissioning the dedicated cycle lanes along Fender Lane." The move is intended to "increase capacity when Highways England’s M53 bridge replacement works begin in September in Upton. Those works are scheduled to last for 18 months so officers are exploring a number of options to support the movement of diverted traffic during the replacement works."
Safety Concerns Raised
Gary Rolfe, chair of Better Streets for Wirral, warned that removing the cycle lane would endanger cyclists. The 38-year-old told the ECHO that before the lane was installed, cycling along Fender Lane was "really dangerous and scary," forcing cyclists to "risk their lives." He said: "I'm fed up of my life being at risk," arguing that cycle lanes should be introduced, not taken away.
Rolfe highlighted the lane's usage, noting: "I've been stood here an hour and a half, and I've seen 18 cyclists go past." He also suggested that congestion on the road stems from traffic lights at the junction with Hoylake Road and Reeds Lane, not the cycle lane itself.
Background and Impact
The cycle lane has been controversial among drivers since its installation, but has been welcomed by cyclists. The M53 bridge replacement works are set to begin in September and last 18 months, prompting the council to seek traffic management solutions. A final decision on the cycle lane's temporary removal has not yet been made.
