“MADNESS!” That’s the view of a Poole pensioner who has spoken out over fears surrounding new cycle lanes close to her dental surgery.

Sadie Sherwood, 80, says the lane in the westbound carriageway of Penn Hill Avenue will expose cyclists to danger from their left and right hand sides.

“It’s extremely dangerous. There’s fast moving traffic on one side of the lane, and parked cars on the other. Drivers will be opening doors and pulling out to join the traffic.

“The cyclist will end up hemmed in between two lines of cars. They should be by the kerb where it’s far safer,” said Mrs Sherwood.

Cycle lanes have been recently added to both lanes on a section of Penn Hill Avenue between the junction with St Osmunds Road and Penn Hill traffic lights.

Dentist Richard Edwards, who runs the Parkstone Dental Practice, said he had responded to a council consultation by asking for a cycle lane to be built only on the south side of Penn Hill Avenue "There are four businesses on the north side of the road – two dentists and two nurseries – and none on the south side," said Mr Edwards.

But Graham Spicer, a capital programme officer at Poole council, defended the lanes, arguing that Penn Hill Avenue was a popular commuter route between Bournemouth and Poole.

“Cycle lanes that pass on the outside of parked cars are not unusual in the borough and others are used successfully in Wimborne Road and Sandbanks Road,” he said.

“The scheme was designed in line with national guidance and half a metre is maintained between the cycle lane and any kerbside parking, allowing a clearance between parked vehicles and cyclists.

“The new layout will be monitored once it is fully implemented, which is standard practice for all schemes of this nature,” he said.