Reader's letter: Cycle lane proposal questioned

Regarding the story One-way System Could Pave Way For Cycle Lane (Advertiser, December 10) I am a member of a local cycling group and we have consistently made our needs for cross-town cycle lanes known.

We consulted with the non-local, non-cycling planners when the last tranche of funds were made available.

It is now difficult to see what facilities were then provided.

Now, a one-way system is proposed incorporating a lightly segregated cycle lane.

This was never a requirement from us and a cynic might deduce that funds from the Active Travel Scheme are being diverted to provide a traffic plan.

The justification is the lightly-segregated cycle lane, which sounds like a white line painted on the road that no motorist would ever cross.

All our members are also motorists but when cycling our priority is safety.

Newark is not a safe place to ride as evidenced by the many pavement riders with whom I sympathise without supporting a currently illegal practice.

People will ride where it is safest and that is not always on the road with cars and lorries. ­— JONATHAN SMITH, via email.