A CYCLE lane branded a recipe for disaster by appearing to send cyclists into the path of oncoming cars is back under the spotlight.

The Daily Echo reported on the new route in Curzon Road, Bournemouth, earlier this month.

Back then the green lane appeared to lead cyclists the wrong way down a narrow one-way street, leaving them at risk of a head-on collision.

This green lane inexplicably ended just metres into the road, when riders are confronted by a row of parked cars.

However, since our last story Bournemouth council has left cyclists in no doubt about the route they should take, by painting large arrows - pointing the wrong way - right up the middle of the same street.

These are accompanied by signs indicating cyclists have priority over cars.

One neighbour told the Echo: “This is madness. How are we meant to get out of the way once we are driving our cars down the road - there is nowhere to go.

“Everyone in the area who drives is perplexed by why they thought it was a good idea and how they found money to spare for such an unimportant and dangerous road system.

“These signs showing cyclists have priority are so small as well, it is only a matter of time before someone is injured.”

Meanwhile, Sam Jones of Cycling UK, said: “This is a pretty dreadful and dangerous bit of planning. It looks like a recipe for disaster.”

Mr Jones explained contraflow cycle lanes have been introduced on one way streets across the country, giving cyclists the right to pedal the wrong way up one way streets so they can avoid busy main roads. But for them to be effective, the road must be wide enough to accommodate both cyclists and oncoming traffic.

Meanwhile, Richard Pearson, the council’s highway design and road safety manager, explained: “We implemented this scheme following requests from the local cycle forum who have indicated that they are satisfied with the arrangement.

“Engineers also undertook a safety assessment of this arrangement prior to proceeding including cycling the route.”