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Safety fears for cyclists
From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 3rd Aug 2001.
CAMPAIGNERS fear safety measures on a busy road in Chippenham could put cyclists at risk.
The measures, carried out jointly by North Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire County Council, aim to help reduce traffic problems in Hungerdown Lane.
Now David Grimsdale, chairman of the Chippenham Safety Group, says he is worried the scheme has not been thought out properly.
Mr Grimsdale believes the removal of the white line in the middle of the road has already been a problem.
"I have seen one or two near misses," he said.
The proposed cycle lane is also causing concern. Mr Grimsdale believes the road is not wide enough for a cycle lane.
"If you have followed either a bus or a delivery van, you would realise the road is not wide enough to allow them to stay in their side of the road and not enter the proposed cycle lane, particularly near the central refuges," he said.
"This creates an immediate safety problem, for drivers and for the cyclist who is lulled into a false sense of security."
He said the cycle lanes should be created on the wide pavement instead, along the same lines as a scheme in Bristol.
A spokesman for North Wiltshire District Council said there was sufficient space for cyclists and other traffic on the road and the plans met nationwide safety standards.
"The white line has been removed as a proven psychological measure because it was likely to make drivers think more about how they are driving," she added.
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