‘Unnecessary’ cycle lane planned for city

provided with a cycle lane in Lisburn if Roads Service plans get the go-ahead, in a move which has been slammed by one councillor as ‘unnecessary’.

Roads Service is finalising plans for a 1.5m wide, contra-flow cycle lane along Graham Gardens, providing, they say, a safe and comfortable environment for cyclists travelling towards the city centre from Bachelor’s Walk.

The proposal is in response to a request from the Lisburn Cycling Initiative Group and is consistent with Roads Service’s policy to seek to improve cycling networks and encourage a greater level of cycling.

A spokesperson for Roads Service said: “The implementation of these works is subject to consultative and legislative processes which we hope to commence shortly.

“It may be possible to complete the works within the current financial year although this will depend on the successful completion of the consultative process and the availability of finance at that time.”

Councillor Jenny Palmer has welcomed the plans and encouraged Lisburn City Council to support it. She said: “Anything which can facilitate safety and protection to cyclists I fully support.”

Councillor Ronnie Crawford said he had no objection to the cycle lane but did stress that he felt money should be put into prioritising the safety of children going to and coming from local schools.

He explained: “I welcome the expansion of cycle lanes in order to provide as much protection as possible for cyclists as we should do all we can to encourage people to take up cycling and their safety must be a priority.

“However, I query the need for cycle lanes in Graham Gardens. I am regularly walking through that side street and seldom see any cyclists. Most of it is a one-way street one end of which leads on to a pedestrian area in Bow Street and the need for cycle lanes there is questionable.” He added: “I have written to the Minister Danny Kennedy to point that the DRD are stalling on the provision of flashing warning lights at Harmony Hill Primary School - one of the largest Primary Schools in the city and one which no longer has any School Crossing Patrols.

“The safety of our children must be a priority and I cannot see that there is much of a need for cycle lanes in Graham Gardens.” There was a mixed reaction from the Star’s Facebook followers to the news of a proposed cycle lane. One user wrote: “Another waste of money project that could be spent on more important things. How many cyclists do you see round Lisburn?”