WHEN is a cycle lane not a cycle lane...when it’s a cycle linking measure, of course.

The ‘cycle linking measure’ is part of a programme to promote ‘sustainable travel’ and cost £4,000 to install.

The cut-through for cyclists is in place between Warren Edge Close and Southbourne Coast Road.

Richard Pearson, Bournemouth Borough Council’s Highway Design and Road Safety Manager, said: “Warren Edge Close was made a cul-de-sac over a decade ago and at that time full-height kerbs and bollards were installed to make that change.

“The short cycle cut through was installed about nine months ago and cyclists are now able to easily use that route to link to Southbourne Coast Road, as full height kerbs were previously an obstruction to that movement.

These measures were a small part of our ongoing efforts to promote sustainable travel and we work with cycling organisations to make the borough as cycle-friendly as possible.”

While it is only small, Dorset Cycle Network Secretary Peter Henshaw explained the importance of cut-throughs like Warren Edge Close’s.

He said: “You can have two quiet roads close together that would make a great cycle route, but there will often be a gap that you can’t get through. Little cut-throughs can be a great help to cyclists, even if you have to walk your bike through them it’s still worth it.”

Mr Henshaw also explained the environmental impact of having more cycle-inclusive infrastructure. He said: “Cycle lanes encourage more people to cycle – it brings health benefits, less pollution, and less congested roads. If we don’t have to cater to so many cars, it gives more parking spaces too – you have to spend some money with any sort of infrastructure to begin with, but it pays dividends in the long-run.”

Dorset Cyclists Network Bournemouth branch leader John Hayter said: “There’s a lot of work to do to convert the roads, but a lot is being done, and many of the main roads now have cycle lanes on each side.They have listened to us in trying to remove some of the barriers to cycling – where some roads were blocked off to limit car traffic, cyclists would have to go around the block to get to where they wanted to go, so we’re pleased to see more of these little cut-throughs.”